‘My Heart Hurts’: NC MLA Abdul Majeed Larvi’s Emotional Reaction to Cabinet Snub
By : Alia Kashmiri
National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larvi on Tuesday expressed disappointment over being excluded from the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet expansion, saying he believed he deserved a ministerial position but would respect the decision of the party leadership. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The legislator from Anantnag West said he had expected to be inducted into the Council of Ministers but acknowledged that the party leadership had the authority to decide its composition.
“It was God’s decision and then it was our leadership’s decision. Our leadership understood it better, although I was deserving of a ministerial post. I was expecting that it would happen to me as well,” Larvi told reporters.
While accepting the induction of the four newly appointed ministers, Larvi admitted that his exclusion had caused him personal disappointment.
“The four people they took, we accept them. It’s not like that,” he said, adding, “But my heart does hurt because I deserved it as well.”
Explaining his disappointment, the NC MLA cited his seniority, honesty, loyalty and dedication to the party, saying these qualities had shaped his expectations of receiving a ministerial berth.
“My heart hurts because I was a senior. Secondly, I was honest. Thirdly, I was loyal. Fourthly, I was dedicated. It is because of that my heart hurts. Because I am also a human being,” he said.
Despite being left out of the Cabinet, Larvi reiterated his commitment to the National Conference and said he would continue working for the party.
“I am a soldier of the party. God willing, we will work for the party. Such situations keep coming up,” he said.
Asked whether he had objected to any of the new ministerial appointments, Larvi referred to independent MLA Satish Sharma, saying Sharma had committed to joining the National Conference.
“Who did I object to? Satish Sharma and others. Because he had a commitment to join the National Conference,” Larvi said.
His remarks came after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to four legislators — Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo — at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on Tuesday.
The cabinet expansion brought the Council of Ministers in Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government to its maximum permissible strength of nine members.
Larvi’s remarks highlighted the disappointment among some party leaders following the reshuffle, even as the National Conference leadership finalised its choices for the expanded Cabinet.
