The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ahead of the upcoming bypolls in J&K.
The complaint, filed by senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, came after CM Omar announced in the Assembly that his government was considering starting admissions for the upcoming National Law University (NLU) in Kashmir from the next academic year.CM Omar said that the government was exploring the possibility of setting up a temporary NLU campus at Ompora in Budgam in central Kashmir, using an under-construction Software Technology Park building.
“A Software Technology Park was coming up in Ompora, which could be used as a temporary campus for the university. Proper campuses take a lot of time. It is possible that we will use this campus for the National Law University. A permanent campus can be set up later,” the CM said, drawing applause from ruling party lawmakers.
The announcement comes just days before the by-elections for the Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituencies that are scheduled for November 11.
The MCC has been in effect since October 8, following the ECI’s announcement of the polling schedule.
CM Omar had vacated the Budgam seat, one of the two constituencies he won in the 2024 Assembly polls, while retaining Ganderbal, a traditional stronghold of his National Conference (NC).
The Nagrota seat fell vacant after the demise of BJP leader Devender Singh Rana.
The LOP said that CM Omar’s remarks were a clear attempt to influence voters in Budgam ahead of the polls.
“On the floor of the House, CM Omar Sahab gave assurance to start classes of the National Law University in Budgam, which is against the Model Code of Conduct. There should be immediate action against him. He has shredded the dignity of the Election Commission of India (ECI) by violating the code,” Sharma said.
He said that the CM should “resign on moral grounds” for disregarding the ECI’s authority.
“If a CM can’t respect the MCC and the ECI, what can be expected from common citizens?” the LOP said.
According to reports, BJP’s Budgam bypoll candidate, Syed Aga Mohsin, has also submitted a complaint before the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), seeking action against CM Omar.
The NC has fielded Syed Aga Mehmood from the constituency, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has fielded Aga Syed Muntazir.
As per the ECI’s guidelines on the MCC, ruling party leaders are prohibited from announcing new projects, making financial promises, or laying foundation stones for new schemes during the election period.
The BJP has urged the poll body to take “prompt and strict action” against the CM for breaching these rules.