Omar says law university to start classes in Budgam; BJP files poll code violation complaint

Hours after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that the National Law University (NLU) would begin functioning in the Valley from April next year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Budgam bypolls lodged a formal complaint alleging violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The announcement came in the J&K Legislative Assembly on Wednesday after the House passed a resolution moved by Congress MLA Nizam-ud-din Bhat seeking the establishment of the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University in Srinagar. The resolution was debated and subsequently adopted through a voice vote, with no opposition from the BJP.

The resolution stated: “This House unanimously resolves to impress upon the Government to initiate the process of establishing the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University at Srinagar without any further delay, as the funds earmarked for the first phase have already been provided.”

Bhat, while moving the resolution, said there was an “urgent need” for a National Law University in J&K, adding that it would provide a broader platform and greater opportunities to aspiring law students.

Responding to the discussion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that the NLU is expected to start functioning from April next year<. He added that the government was considering Ompora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district—a site earlier identified for a software technology park that was shelved after objections from the Air Force—as the temporary location for the university. “That campus is vacant. If everything goes well, by April next fiscal we should be able to start classes in rented accommodation,” the Chief Minister said, adding that if no better location is found, “we would start the National Law University at that place.”

He further stated that there was “nothing in the resolution that the government found objectionable,” and the resolution was subsequently passed by the House.

Earlier, NC MLA Hilal Akbar Lone had moved an amendment proposing that the university be established in his constituency, but he later withdrew the amendment.

However, the BJP termed the Chief Minister’s announcement a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which is currently in force for the Budgam byelections scheduled for next month.

In a complaint submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, BJP’s Budgam candidate Aga Mohsin alleged that the Chief Minister’s statement “is being widely circulated across media and social networks and is clearly intended to influence the electorate of Budgam by creating a perception of imminent institutional and developmental benefit in the constituency.”

The complaint urged the Election Commission to take immediate cognizance of the matter and to order an inquiry through the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, and the District Election Officer, Budgam.

Mohsin also demanded that a showcause notice be issued to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “for violating the Model Code of Conduct and influencing voters,” and sought immediate restraint on any administrative or publicity action related to the announcement.