Omar Abdullah withdraws 3 salary Bills after BJP opposition in J&K Assembly
Synopsis
A day after tabling Bills to raise his own salary and MLA perks, J&K CM Omar Abdullah withdrew all three on the Assembly floor — blaming BJP politics while revealing that a BJP MLA had originally requested the hike. New Bills are promised for the next day, keeping the standoff very much alive.
Key Takeaways
J&K CM Omar Abdullah withdrew three salary and perks Bills on 29 September after BJP opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
The Bills proposed raising the CM's monthly salary from ₹70,000 to ₹95,000 and a minister's from ₹65,000 to ₹85,000 .
MLA perks were proposed to increase from ₹1.30 lakh to ₹1.65 lakh per month.
Abdullah alleged a BJP MLA had written to him requesting the perks hike, accusing the party of 'doing politics' by then opposing the Bills.
The BJP also opposed a statehood restoration resolution, saying its wording linked it to Article 370 restoration.
Abdullah announced revised Bills would be introduced the following day, 30 September .
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday, 29 September withdrew three Bills from the J&K Legislative Assembly that proposed salary hikes for the Chief Minister and ministers, as well as enhanced perks for MLAs, following sharp opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The retreat came just a day after the Bills were tabled, marking a significant political moment in the ongoing autumn session of the Assembly.
What the Bills Proposed
The three Bills, tabled by Chief Minister Abdullah on Monday, sought to raise the Chief Minister's monthly salary from ₹70,000 to ₹95,000 and a cabinet minister's salary from ₹65,000 to ₹85,000 per month. The third Bill proposed increasing MLA perks from ₹1.30 lakh to ₹1.65 lakh per month. Abdullah, who also holds the portfolio of the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, had personally introduced all three Bills.
What Omar Abdullah Said on the Floor
Withdrawing the Bills, Chief Minister Abdullah addressed the House directly and took aim at the BJP's stance. 'I was always against the increase in salaries of CM, ministers and perks to the MLAs. One of their MLAs had written to me to increase the perks of the legislators. Now they are doing politics by opposing these Bills,' he said.
Abdullah added: 'I have always said even if one MLA opposes the increase in salaries of CM and ministers and perks to MLAs, I will never increase these. I, therefore, withdraw these Bills and tomorrow we will bring in new Bills.' The Chief Minister also accused the BJP of double standards, saying: 'When they were in power they did nothing for the daily wagers and today since we are in power, they are accusing us of doing nothing.'
BJP's Broader Opposition in the Autumn Session
The salary Bill standoff is the latest flashpoint in what has been a combative autumn session for the National Conference (NC)-led government and the BJP. On Monday, the BJP had opposed a statehood restoration resolution, arguing it was worded in a manner that linked it to the restoration of Article 370 and autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP stated that had the resolution been solely about statehood restoration, it would have extended support. The autumn session is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, 30 September.
What Comes Next
Chief Minister Abdullah indicated that revised Bills would be introduced the following day. It remains to be seen whether the new legislation will be reworded to address BJP's objections or whether the government will proceed without cross-party consensus. The episode underscores the fractious political dynamics in the newly elected J&K Assembly, where the NC-led coalition and the BJP have clashed repeatedly on matters of both symbolism and substance.
Point of View
In a Union Territory still seeking statehood, was always going to be a gift to the opposition. The more consequential subtext is the BJP's pattern of opposing NC resolutions wholesale — from statehood to salaries — which signals that J&K's Assembly will be a site of sustained political warfare, not governance consensus. Whether the promised 'new Bills' resolve anything or simply reopen the same fight remains the real question.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Omar Abdullah withdraw the three Bills in the J&K Assembly?
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah withdrew the Bills after the BJP strongly opposed them during the autumn session of the J&K Legislative Assembly on 29 September. Abdullah stated he would not proceed with salary or perks increases if even one MLA objected, and promised to bring revised Bills the next day.
What did the withdrawn Bills propose?
The three Bills proposed raising the Chief Minister's monthly salary from ₹70,000 to ₹95,000, a cabinet minister's salary from ₹65,000 to ₹85,000, and MLA perks from ₹1.30 lakh to ₹1.65 lakh per month.
What was the BJP's argument against the Bills?
The BJP opposed the Bills during the ongoing autumn session, though Abdullah alleged that a BJP MLA had earlier written to him requesting an increase in legislator perks. The BJP's broader opposition in the session has also included objecting to a statehood restoration resolution over its perceived link to Article 370.
What did Omar Abdullah say about the BJP's stance?
Abdullah accused the BJP of 'doing politics,' saying one of its own MLAs had requested the perks hike. He also charged that when the BJP was in power, it did nothing for daily wagers, and is now criticising the NC government for similar inaction.
What happens next after the Bills were withdrawn?
Chief Minister Abdullah announced that new Bills would be introduced on 30 September, the final day of the autumn session. The revised legislation's exact scope and wording remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether the new Bills will secure cross-party support.
