NC Offers Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha Seat to Rather, Mubarak Gul and Hasnain Masoodi
By : Sagar reshi
The ruling National Conference (NC) has reportedly offered the Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat to three senior party leaders amid growing tensions within the party following the recent cabinet reshuffle.
According to party sources, the NC leadership has approached Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, senior leader Mubarak Gul, and Pampore MLA and former MP Justice (Retired) Hasnain Masoodi for the parliamentary seat.
The move is believed to be an attempt by the party leadership to reduce internal differences and satisfy senior leaders who were unhappy with the recent expansion of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet.
Yawar Masoodi, son of MLA Hasnain Masoodi, confirmed that the party leadership had discussed the same parliamentary seat with several senior leaders.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, he said that Abdul Rahim Rather, Hasnain Masoodi and Mubarak Gul had all been approached for the Srinagar-Budgam constituency.
Mubarak Gul to Reveal Party Developments on November 4
The development comes amid growing dissatisfaction among National Conference leaders following the recent cabinet reshuffle.
Six-time Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul, who was appointed NC General Secretary after the cabinet expansion but removed from the position just three days later, has announced that he will address a press conference on November 4 to explain the developments within the party.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Gul said he was currently trying to calm his supporters, who had organised protests against his exclusion from the government.
He said his supporters had been holding Kafan rallies and Mashaal rallies in his constituency.
Abdul Rahim Rather’s Daughter Also in Discussion
Abdul Rahim Rather, a seven-time MLA from Charar-e-Sharief in Budgam district, is currently serving as Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. He was elected to the position in November 2024.
However, accepting the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary seat would require Rather to resign from his position as Assembly Speaker.
According to sources, Rather has reportedly suggested that the party consider his daughter, Dr Shagufta Rather, as its candidate for the parliamentary constituency instead.
Meanwhile, senior Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan, popularly known as Gurezi, is also being considered for the post of Assembly Speaker. However, Khan told Greater Kashmir that he had not received any information about such a proposal.
Aga Syed Ruhullah’s Resignation May Create Vacancy
The political developments are taking place ahead of the announced resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi.
According to his office, Ruhullah intends to resign from both the National Conference and his Lok Sabha membership on November 3.
His decision is linked to differences with the party leadership over key election promises, including the restoration of Article 370, protection of constitutional rights and the release of prisoners.
If Ruhullah resigns as announced, the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency will become vacant, potentially leading to a by-election.
The expected vacancy has made the seat important for the National Conference, particularly as several senior leaders are reportedly unhappy with the recent cabinet expansion.
Growing Dissent After Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet Reshuffle
On October 27, four legislators were inducted into Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Council of Ministers.
However, more than a dozen National Conference MLAs reportedly remained absent from the swearing-in ceremony. Their absence was linked to dissatisfaction over ministerial appointments and regional representation.
Following the cabinet expansion, senior NC leaders contacted several unhappy legislators, including Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan, in an effort to control the situation.
On Friday, 17 National Conference legislators and an independent MLA from Thanamandi held a meeting at the Srinagar residence of Lolab MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone.
The meeting focused on recent developments and growing differences within the party.
18 NC MLAs Submit Memorandum to Omar Abdullah
In another development, 18 National Conference legislators submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday, seeking several changes in the government’s functioning and the party’s organisational structure.
Their demands included cabinet restructuring, greater accountability from ministers, changes to the Chief Minister’s advisory system and more consultation with elected representatives.
The legislators also called for a high-level committee to monitor the implementation of the party’s election manifesto.
They further demanded stronger political efforts for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and protection of its constitutional identity.
The reported offer of the Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat to Abdul Rahim Rather, Mubarak Gul and Hasnain Masoodi highlights the growing political challenges facing the National Conference.
Although Rather had earlier emerged as a possible candidate, the reported discussions with Gul and Masoodi suggest that the party leadership is exploring several options to manage internal differences and prepare for a possible by-election.
