Srinagar, July 11: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday alleged that attempts were being made to destabilise the National Conference-led government by luring its legislators with huge monetary offers, ministerial positions and promises linked to the restoration of statehood.
Addressing party workers during the 26th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah, popularly known as Madar-e-Meharban, at Hazratbal, Omar claimed that one of the National Conference legislators from Jammu was offered between Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore, along with a ministerial berth and assurances regarding statehood, in return for quitting the party.
“They are once again trying to break the National Conference. I have been told that one of our MLAs from Jammu was offered Rs 20 to Rs 30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of statehood if he joined them. They think people’s conscience can be bought so cheaply,” Omar alleged.
The Chief Minister said that even if an offer of Rs 100 crore was made to National Conference leaders, they would not compromise on their principles or loyalty to the party.
“Even if they offer Rs 100 crore to our leaders, no one in the National Conference will sell his conscience or loyalty to the party,” he said.
Omar accused political opponents of attempting to engineer defections instead of respecting the mandate delivered by the people in the Assembly elections.
He said the National Conference had exercised restraint despite repeated delays in restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, but cautioned against interpreting the party’s patience as weakness.
“Our patience is not our weakness; it is our strength. But if anyone mistakes it for surrender, they are mistaken,” he said. He said that BJP should clarify that statehood won’t come till it comes to power in J&K.
Reiterating that restoration of statehood remains the party’s foremost political demand, Omar announced that the National Conference would intensify its campaign through peaceful and democratic means.
He called upon party workers and supporters to hold protests at all district headquarters across Jammu and Kashmir on July 20 to press for the restoration of statehood.
Omar said the party was also planning to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on the same day, but added that permission from the authorities was still awaited.
“Permission for the Jantar Mantar programme is yet to be granted, and we are awaiting a response from the authorities,” he said.
Recalling the contribution of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah, Omar said she stood firmly with the National Conference during some of the most difficult periods in Jammu and Kashmir’s political history and taught the party the values of patience, resilience and commitment to democratic principles.
“Our demand is simple — restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. We will continue to raise our voice peacefully until justice is delivered,” Omar said.
