The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has escalated its legal battle with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, issuing a ₹100-crore defamation notice over his claims of attempted legislator poaching. The move signals rising political tensions with potential financial and reputational stakes for both sides.
BJP’s ₹100-Crore Defamation Demand
The notice, issued by advocate Parimoksh Seth on behalf of BJP J&K president Sat Paul Sharma, demands Abdullah retract allegations that BJP leaders offered NC legislators ₹20-30 crore, ministerial positions, and statehood restoration in exchange for switching parties. It also disputes claims of bribery by a senior BJP functionary, calling them "entirely untrue, malicious, and without factual basis."
Failure to comply within seven days could trigger civil and criminal proceedings, including the ₹100-crore suit. The notice explicitly cites damage to Sharma’s reputation under defamation laws.
Omar Abdullah’s Counter: Legal Notices to BJP
Abdullah dismissed the notice as a "love letter" and a "badge of honour," framing it as recognition of his political influence. He accused the BJP of shifting the battle from politics to courts, noting he had deliberately made the allegations outside the Assembly to provoke a political response.
The National Conference (NC) leader announced plans to issue legal notices to BJP leaders for what he termed "unfounded and slanderous" allegations against his party over recent months. This reciprocal legal threat could prolong the dispute, with implications for J&K’s political landscape.
