Political activity has intensified sharply in Jammu and Kashmir as internal dissent within the ruling National Conference (NC) party has started coming out prominently into the open, while amidst the ongoing friction within the party, around 18 to 20 legislators have prepared a formal memorandum demanding comprehensive changes in the organizational structure and the removal of several senior office-bearers from their positions. According to reliable sources, these senior and disgruntled MLAs have submitted this crucial memorandum to party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, outlining several sharp demands for internal reform within the party setup.
MLAs clarify they are angry but not rebels
Following the eruption of this turmoil within the party, the disgruntled legislators have made a concerted effort to clarify that this shouldn't be interpreted as any form of rebellion or an attempt to split the party. The MLAs have stated that while they're certainly angry with the party leadership, they're by no means rebels, while their primary objective isn't to weaken the party in any way, but rather to strengthen it further. The disgruntled legislators strongly argue that in order to revitalize the party and ensure absolute accountability within the organization, major and firm changes have become urgently necessary in the current scenario and can't be ignored any longer.
Strong demand to remove old ministers and give chance to new faces
According to the sources, these disgruntled MLAs have placed a direct and major demand before the party leadership regarding a cabinet reshuffle and structural overhaul. Their primary demand is that all old and incumbent ministers in the government, including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar चौधरी, should be immediately removed from their posts and new faces should be given the opportunity to join the government. The MLAs believe that unless new individuals are given a chance in administration and governance, the right message won't reach the public, and the expectations of administrative reform that the public placed in the party will remain unfulfilled.
Demand to remove Nasir Aslam Wani and specific arguments
In addition to the cabinet changes, the disgruntled MLAs have also strongly raised a demand for the immediate removal of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's political advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, from his post. The strong argument presented by these legislators is that despite facing defeat in the recently concluded assembly elections, Nasir Aslam Wani continues to enjoy cabinet-minister-equivalent status and all associated official perks and facilities. The MLAs raise the pertinent question of why a person who lost an election is being bestowed with such immense status and power, while winning MLAs and grassroots workers aren't being given the recognition and respect they rightfully deserve within the organization.
Special emphasis on implementing manifesto and restoring article 370 and 35A
Amidst this entire discontent and internal friction, the disgruntled MLAs have also strongly pushed for the complete and undelayed implementation of the party's election manifesto. Specifically, this demand letter includes a strong and special appeal to make every possible effort to restore Article 370 and Article 35A. The legislators have explicitly stated that the party and the government can't be allowed to become the private fiefdom of a select few individuals. There must be a strong system of absolute transparency, high accountability, and collective leadership within the organization so that the voice of every worker and MLA is given due respect.
Resentment grows rapidly after cabinet expansion and reshuffle
The simmering discontent within the National Conference surfaced much more intensely after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah carried out a reshuffle and expansion of his cabinet. Following this entire process, open resentment was expressed by several senior party leaders, prominently including experienced names such as Mubarak Gul, Larmi, and Nazir Gurezi. According to party sources, in an apparent effort to pacify and resolve this mounting resentment, party president Farooq Abdullah appointed Mubarak Gul as the new general secretary of the party. However, within a span of just two days following a secret meeting of disgruntled MLAs in Srinagar, he was abruptly removed from this crucial post. This turn of events further exposed the ongoing internal friction and power struggles within the party ranks.
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi's resignation serves as a major blow
The party's difficulties and internal crisis reached their absolute peak and became further compounded when Srinagar MP and highly influential Shia religious cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi officially announced his resignation on November 3 from both his parliamentary post and the primary membership of the National Conference. Political circles indicate that a state of continuous friction and discord had persisted between the Abdullah family and Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi for nearly the past year, which ultimately culminated in this high-profile resignation, while thus, while the National Conference is currently grappling with the pressure of delivering on its electoral promises and manifesto, this severe organizational and leadership crisis has vastly compounded the challenges for both Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah.