Speculation over a possible "Operation Lotus" in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah alleged that the BJP attempted to persuade National Conference (NC) legislators to defect in an effort to topple his government.
Speaking at a public rally in Srinagar on Saturday, Abdullah claimed that one of his party's MLAs was approached by a BJP leader and a Supreme Court advocate, who allegedly offered Rs 20–30 crore, a cabinet position, and the restoration of statehood in exchange for switching allegiance.
"They offered him Rs 20–30 crore, a ministerial position and restoration of statehood. But they failed to purchase even one of our MLAs," Abdullah said.
He further asserted that his party's legislators would remain loyal even if they were offered Rs 100 crore each.
The BJP, however, strongly denied the allegations. Senior party leader Ravinder Raina described Abdullah's claims as "baseless" and "misleading," arguing that the Centre had consistently extended financial support to the National Conference-led government.
Raina pointed out that the Chief Minister had recently acknowledged that the Union government's financial assistance had enabled the Jammu and Kashmir administration to pay salaries to its employees.
At present, Abdullah's government enjoys a comfortable majority in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, where the halfway mark is 46. The National Conference holds 41 seats and receives outside support from six Congress MLAs. The government is also backed by five Independent legislators and one CPI(M) MLA.
Abdullah Criticises Centre Over Delay in Statehood Restoration
During the rally, Abdullah also criticised the BJP-led Central government over the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the Centre not to interpret his patience as a sign of weakness and demanded clarity on what it meant by restoring statehood at the "appropriate time."
Questioning the repeated use of the phrase, Abdullah asked, "For God's sake, how will we know that the appropriate time has come? What do my colleagues and I have to do to reach that appropriate time?"
He said that after assuming office, he had initially allowed the Centre sufficient time to honour its commitment regarding statehood. However, he alleged that the government now appeared intent on maintaining the existing status quo.
Abdullah stressed that exercising patience did not mean remaining silent and cautioned the Centre against taking undue advantage of his restrained approach.
Seeks Wider Support for July 20 Protest
The Chief Minister also appealed to political parties across Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the proposed protest in New Delhi on July 20 demanding the restoration of statehood. Rejecting criticism that other political groups had not been consulted, he said the issue transcended party lines.
According to Abdullah, the demand for statehood is not limited to the National Conference or the Abdullah family but concerns every resident of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Do only me and Farooq Abdullah sahib have to live in the state, and the rest will remain in the Union Territory? The issue of statehood is not only ours but also of the whole of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
He added that invitations had been extended to all political parties currently represented in the Assembly, as well as those that had elected legislators in the past. This included leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad, Altaf Bukhari, and Hakeem Yaseen.
Calling on political parties to rise above their differences, Abdullah urged them to support the protest, warning that staying away because of pressure or fear would amount to a disservice to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
