Why BJP has threatened a Rs 100 crore defamation case against J&K CM Omar Abdullah

The Bharatiya Janata Party has issued a legal notice to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, demanding that he withdraw the allegations that BJP leaders tried to lure National Conference (NC) MLAs with cash and ministerial positions to defect. The party has warned of civil and criminal defamation proceedings, including a Rs 100 crore damages suit, if he does not apologise within seven days.

The notice intensifies an already heated political confrontation ahead of the National Conference’s planned “Delhi Chalo” protest over the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The BJP has dismissed Abdullah’s allegations as defamatory and challenged him to produce evidence.

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BJP seeks written withdrawal and public apology

The legal notice was issued by advocate Parimoksh Seth on behalf of BJP Jammu and Kashmir through its president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Paul Sharma.

According to the notice, Abdullah alleged during a convention in Srinagar on July 11 that BJP office-bearers had approached NC legislators from the Jammu region with offers of 20-30 crore, a ministerial berth and restoration of statehood in return for joining the BJP.

The notice also refers to Abdullah’s allegation that a senior BJP functionary, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, attempted to bribe an NC MLA.

Calling the allegations “false, baseless and defamatory”, the BJP demanded that Abdullah withdraw the remarks in writing, issue an unconditional public apology within seven days and refrain from making similar statements in future.

The notice states that failure to comply would lead to civil and criminal legal action, including a defamation suit seeking ₹100 crore in damages.

“In the event of your failure to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, my client shall be constrained to initiate appropriate civil as well as criminal proceedings against you before the competent court, including proceedings for damages to the tune of Rs 100 Crores…,” the notice said.

BJP says no evidence has been produced

Speaking to ANI, advocate Parimoksh Seth said the legal notice had been sent to Abdullah through email and speed post.

Seth said the BJP had repeatedly sought proof to support the allegations, but none had been provided.

“We asked him for proof, which he has not provided till date. Today, we have issued a legal notice to him through our BJP Jammu Kashmir president, Sat Paul Sharma ji, asking him to apologise within seven days, withdraw his statement in writing, and promise not to repeat this mistake,” he said.

He added that the BJP would initiate criminal defamation proceedings along with a civil suit seeking ₹100 crore if Abdullah failed to comply.

Seth also described the allegations as fabricated and said they had damaged the BJP’s reputation.

BJP spokesperson reiterates warning

BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur accused Abdullah of making “serious and false” allegations against the party.

“Even in today’s statement, Omar Sahab has lied and levelled a very serious and false allegation against the Bharatiya Janata Party. Against the lies spoken by Omar Sahab, we have sent him a legal notice today and will file a defamation case if he does not offer an unconditional apology to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP within seven days,” Thakur told ANI.

Omar Abdullah had alleged BJP tried to poach NC legislators

The controversy stems from Abdullah’s remarks at a National Conference rally ahead of the party’s proposed protest over the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

He alleged that one of his party’s MLAs had been offered Rs 20-30 crore and a ministerial berth to switch allegiance to the BJP. Abdullah also accused the BJP of engineering splits in political parties in states where it failed to secure a majority.

He further said that restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was a commitment made by the BJP and questioned when that promise would be fulfilled.

Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the erstwhile state was reorganised into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Supreme Court, while upholding the abrogation of Article 370 in 2023, recorded the Centre’s submission that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored at an appropriate time.

The National Conference has announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 to press for the restoration of full statehood.