Omar Abdullah Faces Fresh Trouble as 18 NC MLAs Unite Against Cabinet Reshuffle
By : Sheikh Mohammad Isa
Internal differences within the ruling National Conference (NC) have come into focus following a meeting of 18 legislators in Srinagar on Friday, days after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded and reshuffled his Council of Ministers. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
According to sources quoted by news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 17 National Conference MLAs and one Independent MLA attended the meeting at the residence of an NC legislator in Srinagar’s airport area.
Sources told KNO that the meeting focused on discussing a strategy in response to what some legislators reportedly described as an unjust cabinet expansion.
The gathering comes amid growing dissatisfaction among several party legislators who were left out of the recently expanded ministry.
Legislators Reportedly Demand Replacement of Four Ministers
According to sources, the legislators reached a consensus that the four ministers who had taken oath when the Omar Abdullah-led government was formed in October 2024 should now be replaced by new faces, having completed two years in office.
“They have completed two years in office and should now be replaced by new faces,” sources were quoted as saying.
The meeting also assumes significance in the context of the October 27 swearing-in ceremony, which was boycotted by 11 MLAs supporting the ruling alliance, most of them belonging to the National Conference.
Sources indicated that the number of legislators dissatisfied with the cabinet expansion could be higher, as some MLAs who stayed away from the oath-taking ceremony could not attend Friday’s meeting due to prior engagements.
Cabinet Expansion Triggers Political Debate Within NC
The National Conference recently inducted four legislators into the Council of Ministers: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo.
The expansion also saw Independent legislator Satish Sharma dropped from the ministry, while several existing ministers retained their positions.
The reshuffle, which brought the Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible strength, left several senior legislators outside the government, triggering questions over ministerial representation and the party leadership’s choices.
Nazir Ahmad Gurezi Plays Down Political Significance
In a separate account published by Kashmir News Service (KNS), senior NC MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi described Friday’s gathering as a friendly lunch hosted by Lolab legislator Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and said no political significance should be attached to it.
The differing accounts highlight the uncertainty surrounding the meeting and the extent of internal disagreements following the cabinet expansion.
The developments come at a politically sensitive time for the National Conference leadership, as it faces the challenge of managing expectations among party legislators while continuing the functioning of the Omar Abdullah-led government.
