Srinagar, October 30: Eighteen National Conference (NC) legislators, including the host, gathered at the residence of Lolab MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone in Srinagar on Friday, days after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet expansion, triggering fresh speculation over growing discontent within the ruling party.
Although senior NC leader and Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi described the gathering as a friendly lunch and dismissed suggestions of any political significance, an MLA who attended the meeting told Kashmir Dot Com, on condition of anonymity, that several important organisational and political issues were discussed.
According to the MLA, the legislators decided to constitute a four-member delegation headed by Nazir Ahmad Gurezi to submit a memorandum to NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, conveying their grievances over the Cabinet arrangement and the functioning of the party.
The memorandum is expected to seek the removal of ministers who have completed two years in office, with the legislators collectively pressing for changes in the existing ministerial arrangement. The delegation will present their concerns to the party leadership, following which the legislators will decide their further course of action.
The MLA further claimed that the legislators collectively reaffirmed their commitment to the National Conference and took an oath that they would not leave the party. However, they expressed resentment over what they described as attempts by certain individuals to undermine the party’s internal functioning.
A major point of discussion, the MLA said, was the alleged role of Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Sogami. The legislators accused him of misleading the party leadership and interfering in organisational affairs. They demanded his removal from the post, along with his resignation and an unconditional apology, alleging that his actions had damaged the party’s interests.
The meeting also saw discussions over the position of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary. According to the MLA, the legislators recalled their earlier collective demand, raised during a meeting at Dachigam, seeking his removal and expressed displeasure over his continued retention in the government.
Another issue raised during the gathering was what the legislators perceived as the concentration of political and administrative influence in Kupwara and Central Kashmir. The MLA alleged that these areas had received disproportionate representation through parliamentary representation, the appointment of an advisor and a larger share of ministerial positions, leaving other areas and constituencies feeling sidelined.
The legislators also discussed the induction of senior NC leader Ali Mohammad Sagar. While acknowledging his longstanding contribution to the party and previous ministerial experience, some members felt that, considering his past ministerial tenures, important portfolios, age and health, he should not have been considered for the latest Cabinet expansion.
The gathering comes against the backdrop of dissatisfaction among several senior legislators who were left out of the October 27 Cabinet reshuffle. The expansion saw four NC legislators — Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo — inducted into the Council of Ministers, while Independent MLA Satish Sharma was dropped.
Speaking to the media, Gurezi sought to downplay the political significance of Friday’s gathering, saying the legislators had been invited by Qaiser Jamsheed Lone for lunch and that no political meaning should be attached to it.
However, the composition of the gathering attracted attention as it brought together several legislators whose names had figured in discussions ahead of the Cabinet expansion, including Gurezi, former Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul and Anantnag West MLA Abdul Majid Bhat alias Larmi.
The legislators present included Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Thanamandi), Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo (Chanapora), Dr Sajad Shafi (Uri), Khursheed Ahmad (Gulabgarh), Arjun Singh Raju (Ramban), Javid Iqbal Choudhary (Budhal), Aijaz Ahmad Jan (Poonch Haveli), Abdul Majid Bhat alias Larmi (Anantnag West), Bashir Ahmad Veeri (Bijbehara), Hilal Akbar Lone (Sonawari), Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurez), Mubarak Gul (Eidgah), Farooq Ahmad Shah (Tangmarg), Saif-ud-Din Bhat (Khansahib), Javid Ahmad (Karnah), Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir (Rajpora) and Hasnain Masoodi (Pampore). Qaiser Jamsheed Lone also attended as the host.
The meeting followed the October 27 Cabinet expansion, which came after Omar Abdullah had urged party colleagues against lobbying for ministerial positions, saying the leadership had already finalised its decision on the proposed inductions.
Gurezi, who had been widely discussed as a possible ministerial entrant, was absent from the oath-taking ceremony. Hours after the ceremony, newly inducted ministers Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo visited him at his Tulsi Bagh residence, accompanied by party legislators, including Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Hilal Akbar Lone.
Mubarak Gul’s presence at Friday’s gathering was also notable, as his exclusion from the Cabinet had generated discussion within the party. Following the expansion, NC president Farooq Abdullah appointed Gul as the party’s general secretary, a position previously held by Ali Mohammad Sagar.
Abdul Majid Larmi, who had also expressed disappointment over not being considered for a ministerial position, was among those present.
The participation of legislators from Rajouri and Poonch also brought regional representation into focus. Thanamandi MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan had earlier voiced concern over the absence of ministerial representation from the twin border districts. He was joined at Friday’s gathering by Poonch Haveli MLA Aijaz Ahmad Jan and Budhal MLA Javid Iqbal Choudhary.
“The proposed memorandum and the response of the party leadership will determine the next course of action by the legislators,” the MLA added.
