Mubarak Gul Defers Press Conference Amid Growing Tensions Within National Conference
By : Sheikh Mohammad Isa
Senior Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) leader and Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul has deferred his much-anticipated press conference, keeping his position on the recent developments within the ruling party under wraps. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The press conference was expected to shed light on growing speculation about internal differences within the National Conference following the recent cabinet expansion and confusion over Gul’s appointment as the party’s General Secretary.
Mubarak Gul Left Out of Cabinet Expansion
The controversy began after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his Council of Ministers, but veteran leader Mubarak Gul was not included in the new ministerial team.
Gul, a six-time MLA from the Eidgah constituency with decades of experience in the party, was widely seen by his supporters as a potential candidate for a ministerial position.
His exclusion sparked resentment among his supporters, who staged protests in Srinagar’s Press Colony and outside the National Conference headquarters at Nawa-i-Subh. Protesters raised slogans and expressed disappointment over the party leadership’s decision.
Confusion Over General Secretary Appointment
Amid growing discontent, NC president Farooq Abdullah appointed Mubarak Gul as the party’s General Secretary on October 27, following Ali Mohammad Sagar’s induction into the Cabinet.
However, the development took an unexpected turn when a fresh party order issued on October 30 directed Ali Mohammad Sagar to continue as General Secretary until further orders.
The conflicting decisions created confusion over Gul’s organisational position and fuelled speculation about differences within the party.
Mubarak Gul Says Political Fight Will Continue
Gul had earlier indicated that he would address the media to explain the developments surrounding his political position and the party’s recent decisions.
However, he decided to defer the press conference when the scheduled day arrived.
While thanking supporters and media representatives for standing by him throughout his political journey of more than five decades, Gul made it clear that he had no intention of stepping away from politics.
He reiterated his determination to continue his political struggle, leaving the future course of developments within the National Conference open to speculation.
