16MLAs meet NC Chief, Omar at Gupkar; party president says concerns will be addressed in phases
WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Amid speculation over growing differences within the ruling National Conference following the recent Cabinet expansion, party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday held a meeting with 15 party legislators at the Abdullah residence in Gupkar, with the leadership assuring them that their concerns would be addressed in a phased manner.
The meeting, which began around 10 am and lasted for more than two hours, was attended by legislators Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Hasnain Masoodi, Javed Iqbal Chaudhary, Mubarak Gul, Abdul Majid Larmi, Gh Mohi-ud-Din Mir, Arjun Singh, Farooq Shah, Sajad Uri, Ajaz Jan, Saifuddin Bhat, Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Khursheed Ahmad, Javaid Mirchal and Qayser Jamshed.
The interaction came against the backdrop of consultations among a section of NC legislators who had expressed dissatisfaction over their exclusion from the Council of Ministers and raised concerns over organisational and administrative matters. Their meetings had triggered speculation about the emergence of a separate faction within the ruling party.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Farooq Abdullah, flanked by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the legislators, dismissed reports of a possible split as baseless, asserting that the National Conference remained united.
“These baseless rumours being spread that the National Conference is fractured into factions are completely false. This party is united and organised. Those who think they can stop this party should remember that it has never been broken, nor will it ever be broken, God willing,” he said.
Acknowledging the concerns raised by the legislators, the NC president said the leadership had listened to everyone and found their grievances genuine.
“Their concerns were genuine, and they were examined very thoroughly. Everyone was heard. God willing, some steps will be taken quickly, while others will be taken gradually to strengthen the party and the government,” Abdullah said.
He also reiterated the party’s commitment to its political agenda, including the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and the fight for Article 370 and Article 35A.
“Our fight for the restoration of statehood will continue. The struggle for Article 370 and 35A will also continue, and, God willing, we will take the matter to its logical conclusion,” he said.
Meanwhile, senior NC legislator Nazir Ahmad Gurezi rejected suggestions that the legislators’ earlier meetings were aimed at forming a breakaway group, maintaining that they had merely come together to discuss issues concerning the party and its functioning.
“A few days ago, we sat together at one place, and social media portrayed it as if a separate faction had emerged from the National Conference. No separate faction or party has emerged,” Gurezi told reporters after the meeting.
He said legislators routinely approach the party leadership whenever they face issues and that the latest meeting provided an opportunity to put their concerns directly before Farooq Abdullah and the Chief Minister.
“There were certain issues which we brought before the Chief Minister and Farooq Sahib. They have given us assurances regarding political matters and other issues. Some will be addressed immediately, while work on others will be carried out gradually,” he said.
The meeting assumes significance as it follows the October 27 Cabinet expansion, in which four legislators — Ali Sagar, Shamim Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Kalloo — were inducted as ministers, taking the Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible strength of nine.
The expansion had reportedly caused resentment among several senior legislators who were left out, including six-time MLA Mubarak Gul. Besides ministerial representation, the legislators had also flagged organisational and administrative concerns and sought an opportunity to place their grievances before the party’s top leadership.
