Srinagar, Jul 13 (NVI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir has asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to substantiate his allegations that the party was attempting to “poach” legislators by offering them money, warning that it would file a ₹100 crore defamation suit if he failed to produce evidence or issue a public apology.
In a letter sent to the chief minister, the BJP sought proof of his recent claim that the party was allegedly offering ₹20–30 crore to MLAs to engineer defections.
The BJP described the allegations as “baseless” and “defamatory”, saying such claims could not be made without credible evidence.
The controversy arose after Abdullah, while addressing National Conference workers at the Dargah, alleged that the BJP was trying to lure elected representatives with monetary inducements.
The BJP said the chief minister should either furnish evidence supporting his allegations or withdraw the remarks and apologise publicly.
Failing that, the party said it would initiate legal proceedings against Abdullah and seek ₹100 crore in damages through a defamation suit.(NVI)
