Srinagar, October 31: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government is facing signs of internal discontent within the ruling National Conference (NC). The developments come amid dissatisfaction among some party legislators over the recent cabinet expansion and the announcement by Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi that he will resign from the party and his Lok Sabha seat on November 3.
In a statement posted on social media, Mehdi criticised the NC leadership for allegedly failing to honour its electoral promises, particularly those concerning the restoration of Article 370, the release of prisoners and the protection of people’s rights.
He accused the party leadership of treating Jammu and Kashmir like a family estate and said he would not associate himself with what he described as a betrayal of the promises made to voters. His office said he would address the public at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam on November 3, the death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, before proceeding with his resignation decision.
Discontent over cabinet expansion
Meanwhile, reports quoting sources said that more than a dozen NC legislators met at the residence of party MLA Qaiser Jamshaid Lone on Friday evening. Several other legislators reportedly joined the meeting online.
The legislators are said to have discussed dissatisfaction over the recent cabinet expansion and decided to seek the resignation of the entire Council of Ministers. They also reportedly called for a new cabinet to be formed through consensus, based on merit and democratic principles.
The removal of Mubarak Gul from the post of party general secretary by NC president Farooq Abdullah has also added to the discussion over internal differences. MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi had earlier publicly expressed disappointment over not being inducted into the cabinet.
However, NC spokesperson Ifra Jan dismissed reports of widespread rebellion within the party. She said it was normal for some legislators to express dissatisfaction after a cabinet expansion and questioned claims that 20 MLAs had attended the meeting, saying no supporting evidence had been made public.
The 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has 41 NC legislators. The party is also backed by six independent MLAs, while the Congress, with six legislators, supports the government from outside.
