A statement by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel linking Rajasthan Congress leader Sachin Pilot's rebellion with Omar Abdullah's release from detention may land him in a legal soup. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister has said Baghel will be hearing from his lawyers as he was "fed up of the downright malicious and false allegation."
In a statement, National Conference said it rejects Baghels false accusations on Omar Abdullah’s release. "Baghel has maliciously suggested that the release of our Vice President Mr Omar Abdullah from preventive detention was somehow related to Mr Sachin Pilot or the present political situation unravelling in Rajasthan."
The Party unequivocally rejects such malicious, false and politically motivated statements that are used for convenient political posturing, it said.
"It is within the province of public knowledge that the release of Mr Omar Abdullah happened after judicial intervention was sought from the Supreme Court and the illegal order of detention of Mr Abdullah was challenged. Given the indefensible nature of the illegal detention order the same was revoked by the Government during the course of the proceedings before the Supreme Court," the party said.
We have taken cognizance of the libellous statement of Mr Baghel and we are presently in the process of consulting our lawyers and shall be initiating appropriate legal action against the aforesaid statement, it said.
In a newspaper interview, Baghel had asked why Omar Abdullah was released while Mehbooba Muftij is still languishing, wondering if it was due to Sachin Pilot's relationship with Abdullah family.
"...And as far as Sachin Pilot is concerned, not that I have been tracking the Rajasthan events so closely, but it does make one curious why Omar Abdullah was released? He and Mehbooba Muftiji were booked under the same Sections of the law, while she is still languishing, he is out. Is it because Mr Abdullah is brother-in-law of Sachin Pilot?" he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
Pilot, who rebelled against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, is married to Omar Abdullah's sister Sara Abdullah.
Tweeting the statement of his party, Abdullah said, "I am fed up of the downright malicious and false allegation that what Sachin Pilot is doing is somehow linked to my or my father’s release from detention earlier this year. Enough is enough. Mr @bhupeshbaghel will be hearing from my lawyers. Cc @RahulGandhi @INCIndia
@rssurjewala."
Trying to downplay the controversy, Baghel responded in a tweet, "Please do not try to turn this tragic demise of democracy into an opportune moment @OmarAbdullah ji. The 'allegation' was only a question asked, and we will keep asking it, as will the country."
On this, Abdullah said the Congress party does not know the difference between its friends and opponents.
"You can send your answer to my lawyers. This is what is wrong with the @INCIndia today, you don’t know your friends from your opponents. This is why you people are in the mess you are in. Your “question” was malicious & will not go uncontested," he said.
Baghel again tried to placate Abdullah and tweeted, "The tragic demise of democracy began with the imprisonment of the leaders who believe in democracy like Mr Abdullah, Ms Mufti and other leaders of Kashmir. The release of @OmarAbdullah is duly welcomed but we shall continue to demand the release of all others. I hope the Govt of India hears this long-standing demand and answers our calls."
