Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Amid continuing differences within the ruling National Conference (NC), a group of dissident legislators held two closed-door meetings in Srinagar on Wednesday, deliberating on their demands and future course of action following the recent Cabinet reshuffle and the departure of senior party leader Syed Aga Ruhullah.
According to party sources, 12 dissident NC legislators attended a meeting at the Haiderpora residence of Gulmarg MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, while another meeting involving 11 legislators was held at the residence of Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi).
The meeting at Shah’s residence was the third such gathering since the Cabinet reshuffle. The legislators had earlier held their first closed-door meeting at the Srinagar residence of Lolab MLA Qaysar Jamshaid Lone.
Sources said Wednesday evening’s meeting at Haiderpora lasted more than two hours, with the legislators discussing a memorandum of demands to be submitted to NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah when the party leadership invites them for talks.
The legislators reportedly discussed each point of the memorandum in detail and unanimously resolved to remain united, irrespective of the circumstances. The meeting was described as “cordial but firm”, with members maintaining that they would seek concrete action rather than assurances alone.
Among those who attended were senior party leaders, including six-time Eidgah legislator Mubarik Gul, four-time Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), two-time Lolab MLA Qaysar Jamshaid Lone and Srigufwara-Bijbehara MLA Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri).
Gulmarg MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah told Greater Kashmir that the group had authorised Gurezi to speak to the media, while the other legislators had agreed not to disclose details of the deliberations.
Earlier in the day, 11 dissident legislators had met at Gurezi’s Srinagar residence amid growing speculation over the internal situation in the ruling party. A legislator attending the meeting said discussions were underway and that the group would decide its next course of action after completing the deliberations.
“Deliberations are ongoing, and the course of action will follow,” the MLA said.
Speaking to local newspaper, Gurezi maintained that the legislators had no personal agenda and were seeking to strengthen the party rather than weaken or divide it.
“Everyone wants to make the party strong. We are not here to break the party. However, no party is perfect and the issues that the party leaders have need to be discussed. The leadership is discussing those issues. Some things are done, and some more things need to be done,” he said.
Asked about reports that several legislators were unhappy with the Chief Minister’s close circle, including his adviser and an NC Rajya Sabha member associated with the party’s financial affairs, Gurezi said some members had concerns but the matter could be resolved.
However, sources within the party claimed that the dissident legislators had collectively raised objections to the Chief Minister’s inner circle. One legislator alleged that Omar Abdullah needed to change his “kitchen cabinet”, which he described as comprising “failed politicians” and “defeated candidates”.
The legislator also accused the Chief Minister of humiliating senior party leaders and elected representatives while allegedly favouring members of his close circle by assigning them important public positions.
“Such favouritism has to stop,” the legislator said.
Sources said a meeting between the dissident legislators and the party leadership was likely to take place on Friday. If the proposed meeting materialises, NC president Farooq Abdullah is expected to hear the legislators’ grievances and attempt to resolve the differences. The discussions could also lead to organisational changes, sources indicated.
Meanwhile, Mubarik Gul, who had deferred his scheduled press conference on Wednesday, has asked representatives from his Eidgah constituency to assemble at his residence at 11:30 am on Thursday.
The developments come at a sensitive time for the NC, which is facing internal demands for organisational and governance-related changes following the Cabinet reshuffle and Ruhullah’s decision to part ways with the party.
