SRINAGAR/JAMMU, July 14, 2026 — The political climate in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified after the regional unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) served a Rs 100-crore defamation notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The legal action stems from Abdullah’s recent allegations that a BJP functionary attempted to bribe a National Conference (NC) legislator to topple his government.
The legal notice, issued through advocate Parimoksh Seth on the instructions of J&K BJP President Sat Paul Sharma, labels the Chief Minister’s claims as “false, baseless, and defamatory.” The BJP has demanded an unconditional public apology and a written retraction within seven days.
According to the BJP, failure to comply will result in both civil and criminal proceedings, including a defamation suit seeking Rs 100 crore in damages for tarnishing the party’s reputation.
The Allegations That Sparked the Row
The controversy began during an NC workers’ rally at Hazratbal in Srinagar on July 11. During his address, Chief Minister Abdullah alleged that a senior BJP office-bearer—who is also a Supreme Court lawyer—approached one of his party’s MLAs from the Jammu region.
Abdullah claimed the legislator was offered between Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore, a ministerial berth, and the promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in exchange for defecting to the BJP.
The BJP has categorically rejected these claims, describing them as entirely malicious and devoid of factual basis. “These people repeatedly try to tarnish the image of the BJP and the Prime Minister,” stated BJP J&K President Sat Paul Sharma. “Given the damage he has caused, even this amount cannot truly compensate for the harm done.”
Omar Abdullah Brushes Off the Notice
Unfazed by the legal threat, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah dismissed the notice as a badge of honor.
“I consider it a great honour because I am probably the only politician in J&K to receive such a love letter from the BJP,” Abdullah remarked. “I take it as a mark of respect because it shows they consider me a political force they cannot ignore.”
Abdullah accused the BJP of retreating from political debate and hiding behind the courts. He noted that he deliberately made the allegations at a political event rather than under the protection of legislative privilege in the assembly, expecting a political counter-argument rather than a legal one.
The Chief Minister has also warned of a legal counteroffensive, stating that BJP functionaries have repeatedly made “baseless and defamatory” remarks against the NC leadership in recent months. “From now on, we will also begin the process of sending legal notices to BJP functionaries. Let’s see where this process leads,” he added.
Published by True Roots Media Network