Srinagar: The Opposition BJP praised J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah for rejecting the land grants bill moved by the People's Democratic Party, stating that it was a nefarious design to legalise "land jihad" and demographic change.

PDP MLA Waheed Para had introduced a private member's bill, 'J&K Regularisation and Recognition of Property Rights Bill', for regularisation of properties existing on state land, common land or grazing land for decades.

"This bill was aimed at defeating bulldozer politics. It was aimed at giving rights to people who are living here on grazing lands, common land or other state lands," Para said in the assembly. He said that the ruling NC should not be scared of the BJP and disallow the bill.

Responding to Para's assertion, CM Abdullah said, "We cannot sideline justice citing religion, region or politics. We couldn't defend the Roshni Act in the court of law which was (regarding the) transfer of leasehold land to freehold passed by the assembly. This law is more than that. We cannot allow this."

The PDP legislator said the NC was withdrawing from the politics of its founder Sheikh Abdullah, who pioneered the "land to tiller" reforms in J&K.