NEW DELHI: After former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah dared BJP leader Ram Madhav to prove his allegations of Pakistani links of his party or apologize, the latter has retracted his charges saying he wasn't questioning anyone's patriotism and that he takes his "comment" back. Omar and Madhav were involved in a Twitter spat, a day after Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the state assembly.

Madhav alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and National Conference boycotted local body polls last month "because they had instructions from across the border (Pakistan)".

"Probably they had fresh instructions from across the border to come together and form (a) government. What they did prompted the Governor (Satya Pal Malik) to look into the whole issue," the BJP General Secretary said.

Abdullah took on Ram Madhav and asked him not to make wild allegations and instead provide his allegations.

"I dare you to prove your allegation. You have RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), NIA (National Investigation Agency) and IB (Intelligence Bureau) at your command (CBI too is your parrot). So have the guts to place evidence in the public domain. Either prove this or be man enough to apologize. Don't practice shoot and scoot politics," Abdullah said.

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In response, Ram Madhav sought to justify his remarks.

"Just take it in your stride Omar Abdullah. Not questioning your patriotism at all. But the sudden love between NC and PDP and the hurry to form government leads to many suspicions and political comments. Not to offend you," he said.

However, Abdullah persisted with his challenge.

"No, misplaced attempts at humour won't work. You have claimed my party has been acting at the behest of Pakistan. I dare you to prove it! Place the evidence of your allegation of NC boycott of ULB polls at Pakistan behest in public domain. It's an open challenge to you and your government," Abdullah tweeted.

ALSO READ: PDP-NC came together to form govt on 'instructions from Pakistan', says Ram Madhav

Ram Madhav then responded with a tweet which appeared to be aimed at defusing the tensions.

"Now that you deny any external pressure I take back my comment, but now that you proved it was genuine love between NC and PDP that prompted a failed government formation attempt, you should fight next elections together. Mind you it's political comment and not personal," he said, adding a laughing emoji.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, the NC leader repeated his demand for an apology from Madhav. "You cannot undermine the sacrifices made by National Conference workers in protecting the sovereignty of this country. He must apologise," he said.