NC Moves to Contain Dissent:: Farooq Abdullah Promises Action on MLAs’ Concerns

SRINAGAR: In a significant effort to defuse internal discontent and reinforce party unity, the ruling National Conference (NC) leadership on Friday held a closed-door meeting with a group of disgruntled legislators who have recently expressed unease over some key decisions taken by the party leadership, including the selection of faces for the latest expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers.

The meeting, held at the Gupkar residence of NC president Farooq Abdullah, was attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and several NC legislators who had, over the past few weeks, publicly voiced concerns over issues ranging from governance and access to ministers to the party's internal functioning and implementation of election promises.

Sources said the legislators used the opportunity to explain the circumstances that led some of them to publicly articulate their grievances, a move that had triggered speculation of growing divisions within the Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling party. While discussions during the meeting reportedly focused on a range of political, organisational and governance-related issues, the legislators are also understood to have submitted a detailed written memorandum outlining their demands and concerns.

Notably, none of the Independent legislators supporting the government attended the meeting. Party leadership had advised that the discussion remain restricted to elected NC legislators in order to facilitate frank and constructive deliberations within the organisation.

The meeting assumed added significance in the backdrop of recent reports suggesting widening cracks within the NC legislative ranks following the cabinet expansion and dissatisfaction among some legislators over what they described as inadequate consultation and uneven political representation.

However, emerging from the deliberations, the party leadership sought to project an image of cohesion and confidence, dismissing suggestions of any split within the organisation.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, Farooq Abdullah strongly rejected speculation about divisions within the NC and asserted that the party remained united despite differences being raised by some legislators.

"The rumours being spread about the National Conference being divided are completely false. This party has weathered far greater challenges over its long history and has always emerged stronger. Those who believe they can weaken or fragment the National Conference neither understand its strength nor its bond with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This organisation was not broken in the past and, God willing, it will never be broken in the future,” he said.

He added, ‘Today we sat together as a family. Our legislators spoke candidly and raised issues that are genuine and deserve attention. We listened to every concern with sincerity and seriousness. Some decisions will be taken immediately, while others will require a phased approach, but every issue raised will receive due consideration. Our collective objective is to strengthen this government and ensure that it remains responsive to the aspirations and difficulties of the people. At the same time, our political struggle remains unchanged. We will continue our fight for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, and we remain committed to pursuing the restoration of the constitutional rights and safeguards associated with Articles 370 and 35A through democratic and constitutional means until we achieve a just resolution."

The conciliatory tone struck by the party president was echoed by senior NC legislator Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, who played down reports that a recent gathering of legislators signified the emergence of a rival faction within the party. He said recent media and social media narratives had exaggerated routine internal consultations among legislators and wrongly portrayed them as signs of rebellion.

"Every political party has internal discussions. A few days ago we sat together to deliberate on certain issues, but that was unnecessarily interpreted as the birth of a separate group within the National Conference. No such situation exists," he said.

According to Gurezi, legislators had placed several concerns before the Chief Minister and the NC president, who assured them that some demands would be addressed immediately while others would be taken up over time. He maintained that the party leadership had responded positively and constructively to the concerns raised by the legislators.

The sentiment was echoed by NC MLA Bashir Ahmad Veeri, who said the discussions had revolved around legislators' expectations and the practical difficulties they were facing in serving their constituencies.

Veeri expressed optimism that the concerns raised by the MLAs would soon translate into visible improvements in governance and coordination between legislators and the government. "Some issues can be resolved immediately, while others require a longer process. The leadership has listened carefully, and people will see positive developments in the coming days," he said.

Responding to questions about demands that the party pursue a more assertive political campaign for the restoration of Article 370 and other constitutional protections revoked in August 2019, Veeri said the NC leadership remained firmly committed to its stated political agenda and had not retreated from its position.

The meeting is widely being viewed as an attempt by the NC leadership to draw a line under a period of internal unease and prevent dissatisfaction among legislators from escalating into a larger political challenge at a time when the party is heading the government and preparing for several crucial political battles, including the demand for restoration of statehood.

Meanwhile, the NC is also dealing with the fallout from the resignation of its Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, whose resignation from Parliament has been accepted by the Speaker with effect from November 3, the day he publicly announced his decision at a rally in home town Budgam.

Ruhullah had resigned from both the party and his parliamentary seat after expressing strong differences with the NC leadership over what he described as the party's handling of J&K's post-August 2019 political reality. He had repeatedly argued that the party needed to adopt a more assertive and uncompromising stand on issues related to the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and the political rights of the people of J&K.

His criticism intensified in recent months as he accused the party leadership of not doing enough to politically challenge the constitutional changes brought about in 2019 and of failing to adequately represent public sentiment on key political questions.

NC leaders, while expressing regret over Ruhullah's decision, have publicly maintained that differences of opinion can exist within any democratic party and have consistently rejected suggestions that his exit signals a broader organisational crisis. Party leaders have instead projected his resignation as an individual political choice, insisting that the NC remains united behind its leadership and political programme.

Nevertheless, Ruhullah's departure, coupled with recent expressions of dissatisfaction from several legislators, has undoubtedly presented a test of cohesion for the ruling party, making Friday's reconciliation effort all the more significant for the NC leadership.