SRINAGAR, July 11: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday alleged that attempts are being made to destabilise the National Conference (NC)-led government by luring its legislators with huge monetary offers, ministerial positions and promises linked to the restoration of statehood.
Addressing National Conference workers during the 26th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah (Madar-e-Meharban) at Hazratbal, Omar, as per news agency JKNS, claimed that one of the party's legislators from Jammu was offered between ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of statehood if he agreed to quit the National Conference. "They are trying once again to break the National Conference.
I have been told that one of our MLAs from Jammu was offered ₹20–30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of statehood if he joined them. They think people's conscience is so cheap," Omar alleged.
He accused political opponents of attempting to engineer defections instead of respecting the people's mandate delivered in the Assembly elections.
The Chief Minister said the National Conference had remained patient despite repeated delays in restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood but warned that patience should not be interpreted as weakness. "Our patience is not our weakness. It is our strength. But if someone mistakes it for surrender, they are mistaken," he said.
(JKNS)
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