NC faces internal storm as 18 MLAs rally against government, MP Ruhullah set to quit
The National Conference (NC) leadership is facing twin challenges following the cabinet reshuffle, with a section of its legislators reportedly seeking a major overhaul of the government while Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has announced his decision to quit the party and resign from Parliament.
The developments have exposed growing differences within the ruling party, with at least 18 MLAs reportedly meeting in Srinagar to discuss their grievances and formulate demands for the party leadership. The discontent has also spilled onto the streets, with supporters of senior MLA Mubarak Gul protesting his exclusion from the Council of Ministers.
AAP MLA Mehraj Malik has alleged that “Operation Lotus” is underway in Jammu and Kashmir, amid speculation over the growing differences within the NC. However, the party leadership has rejected reports of a rebellion, describing the legislators’ gathering as an informal meeting and insisting that their concerns would be addressed through internal discussions.
Speculations have been fuelled after a closed door meeting of at least 18 disgruntled NC MLAs, supporters of six-time MLA Mubarak Gul protested on Srinagar’s streets against he having been left out of the ministry. Gul himself openly expressed displeasure over the developments.
What is troublesome for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his father and NC chief Dr. Farooq Abdullah is the decision of the party MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi to resign his prestigious Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on 3 November and also quit the NC.
Ruhullah on Saturday said that “November 3 marks the death anniversary of my late father, and on that very day, the resignation that was previously announced will be carried out. Please do not associate me with any potential ‘horse-trading’ that might occur within the National Conference. I neither desire nor support horse-trading. My struggle is based on principles. It stems from the fact that the promises and assurances the National Conference gave to the people during the elections have not been fulfilled or acted upon. I have not been deprived of any position; I harbour no personal grievance over failing to secure a specific post or office”.
In an obvious reference to Omar Abdullah, Ruhullah wrote on X “The crown prince and his cabal treat J&K as an estate passed down through the family. They expect the people to vote, then know their place”.
“We demanded the restoration of Article 370, the release of prisoners and the protection of our rights. They sought power on those promises, then treated us as fools for expecting them to deliver”, he added.
Meanwhile, reports claim that the group of 18 disgruntled NC MLAs met at MLA Qaisar Jamsheed Lone’s residence in Srinagar. They claimed that their strength was 24.
They chose MLA Nazir Gurezi, as the head of a committee which would submit a memorandum to the NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah with specific demands seeking replacement of all the Ministers who have completed two years in office. They are also demanding immediate removal of Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Sogami, holding him responsible for “many wrongs” in the government and the party.
In another development, NC’s Kashmir Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir on Saturday dismissed reports of a revolt within the ruling party, calling a closed-door meeting of its legislators an “informal gathering in a friendly atmosphere”.