BJP trying to split NC: CM

Srinagar, Jul 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was attempting to break the National Conference by offering its MLAs cash, ministerial berths, and the promise of restoring statehood.
Addressing National Conference workers on the 26th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah (Madar-e-Meharban) at Hazratbal, Omar, alleged that the BJP was trying to break the party by luring MLAs with assurances of statehood.
“Wherever your (BJP’s) lure of money and ministerial berths doesn’t work, you tell my MLA to join hands with you on the lure of restoration of statehood,” he said.
The CM claimed that a Supreme Court lawyer, who he said is an office-bearer of the BJP, had approached one of their MLAs from Jammu and offered him Rs 20-30 crore for switching sides.
“One of our MLAs from Jammu told me that a Supreme Court lawyer, who is also a BJP office-bearer, offered him Rs 20–30 crore, a ministerial berth, and statehood if he joined hands with them,” Omar said.
“Do they (BJP) think our faith is weak? You will not find a single person on this podium who will sell his conscience even for Rs 100 crore,” he added.
Questioning the delay in restoring statehood, Omar said he had consciously chosen dialogue over confrontation after assuming office, despite knowing that many expected a more aggressive political approach.
“I repeatedly said we wanted to secure our rights through dialogue, not conflict. I consciously gave the Centre time to fulfil its promises. But today we are compelled to speak of protest because something has clearly changed,” he said.
The CM said that while many expected him to confront New Delhi immediately after the elections, he instead gave the Centre an opportunity to honour its commitments.
Omar said the Union Government itself had outlined a three-stage roadmap comprising delimitation, Assembly elections, and restoration of statehood.
“Delimitation has been completed, elections have been conducted, and a popular government has assumed office, yet the final promise remains unfulfilled. What is our fault now? Why is the promise of restoring statehood still pending?” he asked.
“Our demand is simple: restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. Our patience remains, but it should never be mistaken for surrender,” Omar said.
Omar said the prevailing situation had conveyed a message that nothing could be achieved without protest.
“Today, we are being told, knowingly or unknowingly, that nothing can be achieved without protest. We compare our situation with Ladakh and are forced to ask questions,” he said.
He pointed out that while the Centre was willing to discuss constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir continued to await restoration of statehood.
“We are told there should be one system in one country, yet Ladakh is being offered constitutional safeguards while Jammu and Kashmir is denied even statehood,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he had consistently raised the issue of statehood with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and every senior Union minister he met.
He said he had also raised the issue during the Prime Minister’s visit to Sonamarg and at subsequent meetings but was repeatedly told that statehood would be restored at an “appropriate time.”
“There has not been a single meeting with the Prime Minister, Amit Shah, or any senior Union minister where I have not raised the issue of statehood. Every time we are told it will happen at an appropriate time. I ask them-what exactly is that appropriate time?” he said.
Omar challenged the BJP to publicly declare that statehood would only be restored after it forms the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding to criticism over the announcement of the July 20 protest, Omar said the programme did not belong solely to the National Conference but to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said restoration of statehood was a collective demand and not a partisan issue.
Paying tributes to his grandmother, Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah, Omar said she remained steadfast through some of the most difficult phases in Jammu and Kashmir’s political history and taught the National Conference that patience should never be mistaken for weakness. (KNO)