Srinagar: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, on Wednesday said that his party will approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for allegedly breaching the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing by-election process in Budgam district.
Talking to reporters, Sharma said the Chief Minister had made an announcement on the floor of the House regarding the opening of National Law University (NLU) classes at Ompura in Budgam — a move he said contravened the election code in force.
“The Chief Minister made a commitment inside the Assembly that the classes of the National Law University will start at Budgam. This statement clearly goes against the Model Code of Conduct, which is applicable because a by-election is being held in the district,” Sharma said.
He said that the BJP would formally file a complaint with the ECI and demand immediate action. “If the Chief Minister believes in accountability, he should step down on moral grounds. Otherwise, the BJP will approach the Election Commission of India for appropriate measures,” he said as per KNS.
Sharma questioned Omar Abdullah’s authority to make such announcements at a time when the MCC restricts the government from taking policy decisions that could influence the electorate. “When the Election Commission has imposed the Model Code of Conduct, no government has the right to make such declarations. This is a clear violation,” he added.
The BJP leader said the party viewed the statement as a deliberate attempt to gain political mileage ahead of the bypoll. “The Election Commission must look into this issue seriously. The Chief Minister should be held accountable for violating the code,” Sharma said.
He also recalled earlier remarks made by the Chief Minister, saying such repeated disregard for institutions cannot be ignored. “We will not remain silent. The matter will be taken to the Election Commission,” he said.(KNS).
