Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Sat Paul Sharma on Monday defended the party's decision to send a legal notice to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his allegations that BJP leaders tried to lure National Conference (NC) MLAs with money and ministerial positions. Sharma said the allegations damaged the BJP's image and challenged Abdullah to either reveal the names of those involved or apologise.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said Omar Abdullah should support his claims with evidence instead of making public accusations. He insisted that the Chief Minister should identify both the National Conference MLA who allegedly received the offer and the BJP leader who allegedly made it.

"The statement issued by him was an attempt to tarnish the image of the Bharatiya Janata Party. I had stated directly and publicly that the names should be made public. Whatever the names are, the name of the MLA and the name of our so-called leader should be disclosed. If they cannot make the names public, they should admit they made a mistake and apologise," Sharma said.

Sharma warned that the BJP would continue with legal action if Abdullah refused to apologise. He said the party had demanded Rs 100 crore in damages through a defamation notice.

"If he doesn't apologise, I have issued a legal notice. Based on his statement, we have demanded Rs 100 crore as damages for defamation. I have instructed all my lawyers, and they are ready," he said.

The BJP leader accused Omar Abdullah of making serious allegations without proof. He said he would not accept attacks on his party and stressed that both the country and the BJP remain his top priorities.

"If someone speaks against an individual, it doesn't matter, but if someone speaks against my country, I will not tolerate it. If someone speaks against my party, I will not tolerate it," he said.

Sharma added that protecting the country's interests and the reputation of his party guided his decision to issue the legal notice.

"For me, my country is paramount, followed by the interests of my party. Keeping these two interests in mind, I have issued a legal notice," Sharma said.

He also criticised the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir. Sharma claimed that the government had failed to deliver major development work during the last two years. He questioned its performance and said the administration had focused only on transfers, promotions and appointments.

"In the span of two years, not a single piece of work has been done through them. Can they name even three major works done by them? No. Only elevations, transfers and promotions--that is all that has happened," he alleged.

Sharma also reacted to the National Conference's planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20. The protest aims to demand the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. He questioned the timing of the demonstration and alleged that the party selected the date to attract attention during the Parliament session.

"Why didn't they choose the 19th or the 18th? They chose this date just for the spotlight. The people of Jammu and Kashmir already know them, and now the people of Delhi will also know them," he said.

At the same time, Sharma said the BJP respected the National Conference's right to hold the protest. He described it as part of the democratic process and said his party would not interfere.

"It is a democracy; they have the right to go there, protest and speak. There is no interference from our side," Sharma said.

The controversy started after Advocate Parimoksh Seth, who represents Sat Paul Sharma, confirmed that the BJP had sent a legal notice to Omar Abdullah. The notice relates to Abdullah's claim that BJP leaders offered money and ministerial positions to National Conference MLAs in an attempt to persuade them to switch sides.

Seth said the legal notice was sent through both email and speed post. It asks Abdullah to withdraw his remarks in writing, issue an apology and assure the BJP that he will not repeat such allegations in the future. The notice gives him seven days to respond.

According to the advocate, Omar Abdullah made the allegations during a programme held in Srinagar on July 11. Abdullah claimed that a senior BJP leader, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, tried to "buy" a National Conference MLA by offering Rs 20-30 crore along with a ministerial post.

The BJP rejected the allegations and described them as false, fabricated and defamatory. The party warned that if Abdullah failed to meet the demands mentioned in the legal notice, it would begin criminal defamation proceedings and file a civil defamation suit seeking Rs 100 crore in damages.

Omar Abdullah made these allegations while addressing a National Conference rally ahead of the party's proposed "Delhi Chalo" protest. The demonstration, scheduled for July 20 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, seeks the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.