Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 30
Seventeen legislators of the ruling National Conference (NC) and an independent lawmaker held a closed-door meeting in Srinagar on Friday, amid growing dissatisfaction within the party over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent cabinet expansion.
The meeting was hosted by NC MLA Qaysar Jamsheed Lone at his residence in Srinagar. Those present included senior legislators Mubarik Gul, Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), Hasnain Masoodi, Hilal Akbar Lone, Abdul Majid Larmi, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Sajad Shafi, Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, Saifuddin Bhat, Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Aijaz Jan, Javaid Choudhary, Khurshied Ahmad, Javid Ahmad Mirchal, and Arjun Singh Raju. Independent MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan also attended.
The gathering came three days after Abdullah inducted four legislators into his Council of Ministers, triggering resentment among several party members who said their seniority and experience had not been recognised.
Gurezi said the gathering was a social event hosted by Lone and denied that it was a meeting of disgruntled legislators.
“Almost every NC legislator attended. We were around 20 to 25. It was not a meeting of dissidents or a protest by those who missed out on the cabinet expansion. It was just a routine meeting over a meal and, of course, several party issues were discussed,” he said.
He also denied any connection between the gathering and NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah’s planned resignation from the party and Parliament on November 3.
However, sources familiar with the discussions said legislators raised concerns about the composition of the cabinet, the performance of ministers and the distribution of development funds.
Some lawmakers reportedly called for the removal of ministers who had completed two years in office.
Legislators from the Jammu region also expressed dissatisfaction with the continuation of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Chaudhary, alleging that funds allocated to the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Department were being concentrated in his constituency at the expense of other areas.
They said they had previously raised the issue with Abdullah, who had assured them that it would be addressed.
Meanwhile, NC legislators from Kashmir reportedly questioned the influence of Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, arguing that his position carried cabinet-level status while several elected legislators had been excluded from the government.
The cabinet expansion saw Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous, and Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo) inducted into the government.
Independent MLA Satish Sharma was dropped.
Gul, a six-time legislator and former Legislative Assembly Speaker, was among those dissatisfied with the new cabinet composition.
His supporters had staged protests at the NC’s Nawa-e-Subah headquarters, demanding his inclusion in the government.
Larmi questioned Wani’s selection, saying his own seniority warranted consideration for a ministerial position.
Veeri criticised the continuation of ministers he described as non-performing.
Gurezi was among over a dozen legislators who did not attend the October 27 swearing-in ceremony.
NC leaders subsequently visited his residence amid reports of dissatisfaction.
MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali said he had been invited to Friday’s gathering but was in Jammu.
MLA Lal Chowk Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed said he could not attend because he was looking after his ailing father.
The NC has 41 members in the 90-seat Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
The ruling alliance, supported by the Congress, CPI(M), and independent legislators, has 53 members, above the 46 required for a majority.
The Congress has so far declined to join the cabinet, saying it would reconsider its position after the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The reported internal tensions coincide with a growing public disagreement between Abdullah and Ruhullah over the party’s political commitments and the restoration of constitutional protections.
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Sharma has described the developments as evidence of growing difficulties for the NC-led government.
However, Friday’s gathering does not indicate an immediate threat to the government’s legislative majority.
