“I could have made the same statement and hid behind the assembly. I could have taken advantage of the privileges afforded to me by making the statements in the Assembly which cannot be challenged outside the assembly, but I did not,” he said.
Abdullah also accused BJP leaders in Jammu and Kashmir of repeatedly making “unfounded and slanderous allegations” against the NC and its leadership.
“Particularly, one leader has time and again levelled unfounded and slanderous allegations against us, but we have been fighting him politically,” he said.
However, Abdullah indicated that the NC could now adopt a similar legal strategy.
“Going on now, we will begin the process of sending legal notices to that particular BJP leader and a few others and let’s see where this process ends,” he said.
The BJP’s legal notice alleges that Abdullah’s claims amount to defamation under civil and criminal law and has demanded that he withdraw the allegations in writing.
“Issue an unconditional public apology within seven days of receiving the notice. Refrain from publishing or circulating any further defamatory material concerning the BJP. Immediately cease and desist from making or repeating any such statements,” the notice said.
The legal confrontation follows Abdullah’s allegations that attempts were made to lure NC legislators with cash and ministerial positions in an effort to destabilise his government.
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