National Conference legislators convene amid cabinet reshuffle dispute
A group of National Conference legislators held a closed-door meeting in Srinagar on Friday, exposing growing dissatisfaction within Jammu and Kashmir's ruling party over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's cabinet reshuffle and the functioning of his government.
Seventeen National Conference legislators and one Independent supporting the government reportedly attended the meeting at the residence of Lolab MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone in Humhama. Participants discussed ministerial appointments, internal decision-making and grievances concerning the distribution of responsibilities within the administration.
The gathering followed Tuesday's cabinet expansion, which brought four National Conference legislators into the government while Independent MLA Satish Sharma was dropped. Several senior party figures who had expected ministerial positions expressed disappointment over their exclusion.
Legislators familiar with the discussions indicated that participants favoured replacing ministers who have completed two years in office with other elected representatives. They also sought greater consultation within the party before ministerial appointments and changes involving senior government functionaries.
However, Gurez legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi disputed suggestions that the gathering constituted an organised rebellion. He said Lone had invited legislators for a meal and that party matters were discussed during the interaction.
Gurezi maintained that the meeting was not a protest against the cabinet expansion or an assembly of legislators denied ministerial positions. His explanation contrasted with accounts of participants discussing coordinated demands concerning the composition and performance of the government.
The legislators were also understood to have considered approaching National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to communicate their concerns. There was no immediate official confirmation of a formal resolution adopted by the gathering.
Tuesday's expansion saw Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, inducted into the Council of Ministers. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered their oaths at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar.
The appointments generated dissatisfaction among legislators who believed seniority, electoral experience and regional representation should have received greater consideration. Eleven legislators supporting the ruling alliance stayed away from the swearing-in ceremony, although individual reasons for their absence were not uniformly established.
Former Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul emerged among the prominent figures disappointed by the reshuffle. His supporters demonstrated in Srinagar after he was excluded from the cabinet, questioning the treatment of a senior party leader.
Farooq Abdullah subsequently appointed Gul as the National Conference's general secretary, an organisational position previously held by Sagar. Gul nevertheless attended Friday's gathering, alongside legislators representing constituencies across Kashmir and Jammu.
Abdul Majeed Larmi, representing Anantnag West, also questioned the ministerial selections. He argued that his seniority warranted consideration, particularly when other legislators had been accommodated.
Bijbehara legislator Bashir Ahmad Veeri separately criticised the continuation of ministers whose performance he considered unsatisfactory. His objections reflected dissatisfaction extending beyond the legislators excluded from the new appointments.
Concerns raised during Friday's discussions reportedly included the role of Chief Minister's adviser Nasir Aslam Wani and the continuation of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary. Some legislators questioned whether administrative responsibilities and development resources were being distributed equitably.
These complaints remained allegations by individual legislators, with no independent findings establishing administrative wrongdoing or improper allocation of funds. The government had not publicly accepted the accusations arising from the meeting.
Participants were also said to favour establishing a parliamentary board to introduce broader consultation into future cabinet selections. Such an arrangement would give legislators a more structured channel for expressing preferences before the leadership finalised appointments.
The developments come as National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has signalled his intention to resign from Parliament and the party on November 3. Gurezi said Friday's gathering was unrelated to Ruhullah's position.
Despite the disagreement, there was no confirmed move by the legislators to withdraw support from Omar Abdullah's government or challenge his leadership through a formal legislative process.
The National Conference holds 41 seats in the 90-member Legislative Assembly. Its government enjoys additional backing from Congress, the CPI(M) and Independent legislators, giving the ruling arrangement a majority above the 46 seats required.
Congress has maintained its support while declining cabinet participation pending restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Newly inducted minister Altaf Ahmad Wani sought to minimise the significance of internal dissatisfaction, describing differences over appointments as matters arising within a political family.
Among those identified at Friday's meeting were former judge Hasnain Masoodi, Hilal Akbar Lone, Aijaz Jan, Javaid Choudhary, Sajad Shafi, Javid Ahmad Mirchal, Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, Khurshied Ahmad and Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah.
Seventeen National Conference legislators and one Independent supporting the government reportedly attended the meeting at the residence of Lolab MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone in Humhama. Participants discussed ministerial appointments, internal decision-making and grievances concerning the distribution of responsibilities within the administration.
The gathering followed Tuesday's cabinet expansion, which brought four National Conference legislators into the government while Independent MLA Satish Sharma was dropped. Several senior party figures who had expected ministerial positions expressed disappointment over their exclusion.
Legislators familiar with the discussions indicated that participants favoured replacing ministers who have completed two years in office with other elected representatives. They also sought greater consultation within the party before ministerial appointments and changes involving senior government functionaries.
However, Gurez legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi disputed suggestions that the gathering constituted an organised rebellion. He said Lone had invited legislators for a meal and that party matters were discussed during the interaction.
Gurezi maintained that the meeting was not a protest against the cabinet expansion or an assembly of legislators denied ministerial positions. His explanation contrasted with accounts of participants discussing coordinated demands concerning the composition and performance of the government.
The legislators were also understood to have considered approaching National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to communicate their concerns. There was no immediate official confirmation of a formal resolution adopted by the gathering.
Tuesday's expansion saw Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, inducted into the Council of Ministers. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered their oaths at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar.
The appointments generated dissatisfaction among legislators who believed seniority, electoral experience and regional representation should have received greater consideration. Eleven legislators supporting the ruling alliance stayed away from the swearing-in ceremony, although individual reasons for their absence were not uniformly established.
Former Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul emerged among the prominent figures disappointed by the reshuffle. His supporters demonstrated in Srinagar after he was excluded from the cabinet, questioning the treatment of a senior party leader.
Farooq Abdullah subsequently appointed Gul as the National Conference's general secretary, an organisational position previously held by Sagar. Gul nevertheless attended Friday's gathering, alongside legislators representing constituencies across Kashmir and Jammu.
Abdul Majeed Larmi, representing Anantnag West, also questioned the ministerial selections. He argued that his seniority warranted consideration, particularly when other legislators had been accommodated.
Bijbehara legislator Bashir Ahmad Veeri separately criticised the continuation of ministers whose performance he considered unsatisfactory. His objections reflected dissatisfaction extending beyond the legislators excluded from the new appointments.
Concerns raised during Friday's discussions reportedly included the role of Chief Minister's adviser Nasir Aslam Wani and the continuation of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary. Some legislators questioned whether administrative responsibilities and development resources were being distributed equitably.
These complaints remained allegations by individual legislators, with no independent findings establishing administrative wrongdoing or improper allocation of funds. The government had not publicly accepted the accusations arising from the meeting.
Participants were also said to favour establishing a parliamentary board to introduce broader consultation into future cabinet selections. Such an arrangement would give legislators a more structured channel for expressing preferences before the leadership finalised appointments.
The developments come as National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has signalled his intention to resign from Parliament and the party on November 3. Gurezi said Friday's gathering was unrelated to Ruhullah's position.
Despite the disagreement, there was no confirmed move by the legislators to withdraw support from Omar Abdullah's government or challenge his leadership through a formal legislative process.
The National Conference holds 41 seats in the 90-member Legislative Assembly. Its government enjoys additional backing from Congress, the CPI(M) and Independent legislators, giving the ruling arrangement a majority above the 46 seats required.
Congress has maintained its support while declining cabinet participation pending restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Newly inducted minister Altaf Ahmad Wani sought to minimise the significance of internal dissatisfaction, describing differences over appointments as matters arising within a political family.
Among those identified at Friday's meeting were former judge Hasnain Masoodi, Hilal Akbar Lone, Aijaz Jan, Javaid Choudhary, Sajad Shafi, Javid Ahmad Mirchal, Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, Khurshied Ahmad and Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah.