Farooq Abdullah Meets Dissident MLAs Amid National Conference Unrest
Farooq Abdullah met with disgruntled National Conference legislators in Srinagar to address grievances over cabinet reshuffles and the resignation of MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi.
President Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with dissenting members of the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar on November 6 to address internal instability within the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. The unrest follows a cabinet expansion conducted by Omar Abdullah last month, which left several senior members excluded and sparked grievances among approximately 20 legislators.
The dissident group, including MLAs Mubarak Gul and Abdul Majeed Larmi, presented a list of demands that evolved from personal grievances into a broader effort to restructure the party. Their requirements include the removal of Chief Minister's Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, the removal of Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary or his R&B portfolio due to corruption allegations, and the curtailment of MP Shammi Oberoi's influence. The legislators also demanded the restoration of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the implementation of the Dachigam resolution on cabinet restructuring.
This internal friction coincides with the November 3 resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi from both the party and Parliament. Mehdi cited the party's failure to fulfill election promises regarding the release of prisoners and the restoration of Article 370. While National Conference spokespersons suggested the resignation was part of a BJP-led 'Operation Lotus,' Mehdi denied these claims, stating his decision was based on principles rather than personal grievances or political horse-trading.
