Nida Faisal
Srinagar, Oct 29 : Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Tuesday demanded that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah step down for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct by announcing the establishment of a Law University in Budgam district, which is slated to go to by-polls on November 11.
Addressing reporters in Srinagar, Sharma said the Chief Minister’s statement regarding the start of Law University classes in Ompora, Budgam, was “a deliberate violation” of the Model Code of Conduct that came into force immediately after the Election Commission announced the by-election schedule. “The Chief Minister has violated the Model Code of Conduct by assuring that Law University classes will begin in Budgam on a temporary basis. This is a direct breach of the Election Commission’s rules,” Sharma said.
He alleged that the announcement was politically motivated and intended to influence voters ahead of the by-poll. “We all know that Budgam is going to polls on November 11. The Model Code of Conduct is already in place. Despite this, the Chief Minister made a public assurance regarding the Law University. This is a clear attempt to sway the electorate,” Sharma remarked.
The BJP leader said his party would formally lodge a complaint with the Election Commission of India against the Chief Minister for what he termed as “a gross misuse of official position.” “The BJP will file a complaint before the Election Commission against Omar Abdullah for this violation. If the Chief Minister himself breaks the rules, how can we expect others to follow them?” he said.
Sharma also called on the Chief Minister to accept moral responsibility and resign from office. “The Chief Minister should take immediate action against himself. If he has done something wrong, he should resign. The law applies equally to everyone, whether it is the Chief Minister or an ordinary citizen,” he asserted.
He further added that the BJP expects the Election Commission to act swiftly and ensure a level playing field in Budgam. “The Election Commission must take cognizance of this serious violation and initiate strict action. The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve free and fair elections, not announcements designed to influence their choice,” Sharma said.
The controversy erupted after Omar Abdullah reportedly announced that classes of the newly established Law University would begin at Ompora, Budgam, on a temporary basis until a permanent campus is set up.
