Omar Abdullah Accuses BJP of Offering ₹30 Crore, Ministerial Post to Topple J&K Government
By News Desk · Updated July 12, 2026 · 4 min read
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to topple his government by attempting to buy the loyalty of his party’s legislators. Speaking to National Conference (NC) workers on July 11, Abdullah said one of his MLAs from Jammu was offered between ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore, a ministerial berth, and a promise of statehood to defect.
What Omar Abdullah Said
Omar Abdullah, addressing a workers’ convention at Hazratbal in Srinagar, held on the 26th death anniversary of his grandmother Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah, the chief minister said the BJP had tried “money and ministerial berths” first, and was now privately promising statehood to lure his legislators. He said a Supreme Court lawyer connected to the BJP had approached one of his MLAs from Jammu directly.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah says a National Conference MLA was offered up to ₹30 crore, a ministry and a promise of statehood to switch sides. The BJP calls the charge baseless and wants proof.
Abdullah expressed confidence that none of his legislators would give in, saying his MLAs would not compromise their integrity “for ₹30 crore, or even ₹100 crore.” He framed the alleged move as part of a pattern: after failing to win power through the ballot in the 2024 assembly election, he said, the BJP was now trying to engineer defections instead.
NC president Farooq Abdullah also addressed the gathering, saying similar attempts to split the party had happened before and urging workers not to be discouraged. The remarks came days ahead of an NC-led protest planned for July 20 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, reportedly over the demand for restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The BJP’s Response
The BJP rejected the allegation outright. Party spokesperson and MLA R.S. Pathania said Abdullah should name the legislator allegedly approached, identify the BJP functionary involved, and disclose when and where the offer was made. He questioned why, if the incident were genuine, it had not been reported to any investigating agency, and accused the chief minister of using the claim to distract from his government’s record.
Former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina separately dismissed the charge as “completely baseless,” saying the ruling party had made a habit of manufacturing controversies whenever it faced criticism over governance. The BJP has demanded a public apology and warned that it may pursue a defamation case if Abdullah does not substantiate the claim.
Why It Matters
Neither side has yet produced public evidence: Abdullah has not named the MLA or the BJP figure involved, and the BJP has not addressed the substance of the claim beyond denial. The exchange unfolds against the backdrop of Jammu and Kashmir’s unresolved statehood question, which has become a central plank of the NC’s political messaging ahead of its Delhi protest later this month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Omar Abdullah allege against the BJP?
That a National Conference MLA from Jammu was offered ₹20-30 crore, a ministerial post, and a promise of statehood to defect to the BJP.
How has the BJP responded?
It has called the claim baseless, demanded Abdullah name names or apologise, and threatened legal action for defamation.
When did this happen?
Abdullah made the allegation on July 11, 2026, at a party convention in Srinagar.
Sources: The Tribune, India TV News, Kashmir Reader, IBTimes India. This report will be updated if either party releases further evidence or statements.
About The Author
