BJP issues ₹100 crore defamation notice to Omar Abdullah over ‘MLA poaching’ allegations

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Files | Photo credit: Imran Nissar

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday (July 13, 2026) filed a legal notice against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his allegation that the national party tried to bribe National Conference legislators with cash and ministerial berths in a bid to topple his government.

Calling the allegations “false, baseless and defamatory”, the BJP demanded a written retraction and an unconditional public apology within seven days, warning of civil and criminal action if the demands were not met.

Addressing National Conference (NC) workers in Hazratbal last week, the Chief Minister alleged that the BJP was trying to topple his government by creating a split in his party. He also claimed that an NC MLA from Jammu told him that he was offered ₹20-30 crore and a ministerial berth to switch sides to the saffron camp.

The notice was issued through advocate Parimokshe Seth on the instructions of Jammu and Kashmir BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Paul Sharma. They claim that the Chief Minister’s statements have seriously damaged the reputation and public standing of the BJP and its office bearers.

A BJP spokesperson informed that the party has sent a notice to the Chief Minister.

According to the three-page notice, Mr Abdullah alleged that BJP functionaries approached certain National Conference MLAs from the Jammu region with offers of ₹20-30 crore, ministerial berths and restoration of statehood in an attempt to convince them to defect to the BJP.

It refers to the chief minister’s claim that a senior BJP official, who is also a lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court, allegedly played a role in offering incentives.

The BJP rejected the allegations, calling them “completely false, malicious and without any basis in fact”. The notice said the allegations were made deliberately to tarnish the party’s image and were widely circulated, causing considerable damage to the party’s reputation.

The legal notice says the allegations constitute defamation under both civil and criminal law and calls on the chief minister to withdraw the allegations in writing.

“Issue an unconditional public apology within seven days of receiving notice. Refrain from publishing or distributing any further defamatory material regarding the BJP. Immediately cease and desist from making or repeating any such statements,” it said.

The BJP has warned that if the demands are not met within the stipulated time, it will initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings in the appropriate court. These would include a defamation suit for damages of ₹100 crore, in addition to other legal remedies available under the Act.

Published – 13 Jul 2026 11:08 IST