Omar Abdullah claims BJP luring National Conference MLAs with cash, berths

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused the BJP of trying to bring down his government by engineering a split in the National Conference.

Abdullah addressed a worker's convention at the mausoleum of his grandparents at Hazratbal on the 26th death anniversary of his grandmother Akbar Jehan.

Read more: 'If not in Delhi, then where?' : Omar Abdullah announces statehood protest on July 20


Abdullah claimed the BJP was using money power to buy his MLAs. "Attempts are being made to break the NC. After greed for money and ministerial berths didn't work, the BJP is now telling my MLAs behind closed doors that 'come with us and we will give you statehood'," Abdullah claimed.

The CM claimed a NC MLA from Jammu informed him that he was offered ₹30 crore and a ministerial berth to switch sides.

"God bears witness that one MLA from Jammu told me that a BJP office-bearer, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, offered him ₹20-30 crore, a ministry, and statehood after asking him to support them. They think people's faith is so weak," he said.

Asserting that National Conference MLAs would not "sell" themselves, Abdullah said none of the party legislators would compromise their integrity "for ₹20 crore or even ₹100 crore" because they were answerable to the people and to God.

Read more: Omar Abdullah alleges BJP offered NC MLAs Rs 20-30 crore to defect