Assures dissenting MLAs of action after meeting
Srinagar, Nov 6: National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed reports of a possible split in the party, asserting that the NC had never broken and would never break, while assuring disgruntled legislators that their genuine grievances would be addressed.
Addressing reporters after a nearly two-hour meeting with the dissenting legislators at his Gupkar residence here, in the presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Farooq said the concerns raised by the MLAs had been taken seriously and discussed in detail, with some issues to be resolved immediately and others addressed gradually.
“The baseless reports being spread that the National Conference is divided are completely false,” he said, adding that those who believed they could break the party were mistaken.
“The National Conference has never been broken and will never be broken,” he asserted.
Farooq said everyone had been given an opportunity to put forward their concerns and the leadership had considered their grievances seriously. He said steps would be taken to strengthen the Government and address the difficulties faced by people.
The meeting came amid growing discontent within the ruling party following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, with a section of legislators expressing resentment over their alleged neglect by the party leadership and demanding changes in the Government as well as the party organisation.
The group of dissenting legislators was led by senior leader and six-time MLA Mubarak Gul. Those present included Abdul Majeed Bhat alias Larmi, former MP and MLA Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Pirzada Farooq Shah, among others.
NC MLA Larmi said the leadership had acknowledged their concerns and assured them that corrective measures would be taken.
“Everything has been sorted out. Whatever differences were there have been resolved,” he said.
He said the meeting covered several issues, including changes in ministerial portfolios, removal of certain individuals, strengthening of the party organisation and improving coordination between elected representatives and the Government.
The legislators also discussed implementation of the party’s election manifesto and its political demand for restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A.
NC MLA Dr Bashir Ahmad Veeri said the leadership had listened to their demands and expressed hope that some would be accepted immediately, while others might require more time.
“Some demands will be accepted immediately, while some may take time,” he said, adding that the outcome of the discussions would become clear in the coming days.
Veeri also expressed hope that the concerns of legislators regarding their access to ministers and difficulties in getting constituency-related work done would be addressed.
Senior NC MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi said the legislators had brought their political and other concerns before Farooq and Omar Abdullah and received assurances that the issues would be taken up.
He also dismissed speculation about the formation of a separate political party, saying no group had broken away from the National Conference and that social media had exaggerated the differences.
Among the demands reportedly raised by the dissenting legislators were the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary or at least his divestment of the Roads and Buildings portfolio, removal of Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, an end to the alleged interference of NC MP Shammi Oberoi in party affairs and changes in the Council of Ministers, including dropping ministers who had completed two years in office.
The resentment had intensified after Omar Abdullah’s recent Cabinet reshuffle. Senior leader Mubarak Gul had earlier expressed disappointment over his repeated exclusion from the Council of Ministers, saying he had attended 20 swearing-in ceremonies but had never been inducted into the Cabinet.
Another MLA, Larmi, had also publicly expressed anguish over what he described as neglect by the party leadership, breaking down while speaking about his loyalty to the NC and the treatment he had received.
The differences had triggered speculation about a possible split in the ruling party, with several legislators seeking intervention by the party’s top leadership.
On Thursday, NC leader Salman had played down the differences, saying minor disagreements were natural in a family and could be resolved through discussions. He had said Farooq and Omar Abdullah would listen to the legislators’ grievances.
Farooq, meanwhile, reiterated that the party would continue its political struggle for restoration of statehood and Articles 370 and 35A, signalling that the leadership remained committed to its stated political agenda despite the internal differences. (IANS, KNO, GNS)
