NC the legislators have warned that they will approach Raj Bhavan and formally withdraw their legislative support if the party high command fails to act within the deadline.
The Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir is facing a political challenge from within the National Conference (NC), with 25 reportedly disgruntled party MLAs giving the leadership 14 days to address their demands or risk losing their support.
As per reports, the legislators have warned that they will approach Raj Bhavan and formally withdraw their legislative support if the party high command fails to act within the deadline. The reported move could trigger a major rebellion within the NC and put the Abdullah leadership under pressure.
The rebel MLAs are seeking a complete overhaul of the government, including the removal of all existing ministers from their portfolios and the immediate removal of the Chief Minister’s Advisor.
What Are The 25 Rebel MLAs Demanding?
Sources familiar with the dissident camp said the legislators have put forward a list of demands to the party leadership.
Their main demand is that all existing ministers be relieved of their portfolios within 14 days. They have also called for the immediate removal of the Chief Minister’s Advisor.
The rebels want an entirely new council of ministers to be formed through a transparent and merit-based process. They have also demanded that the entire legislature party be consulted before ministerial appointments are made, instead of allowing a select group to take decisions.
The legislators have also raised concerns about the party’s ideological position and its election manifesto. They want the government to push more strongly for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A and other related constitutional safeguards.
The dissident faction is opposed to what it sees as compromises on these issues and wants the government to take up the demands firmly with the BJP-led central government.
According to sources within the group, the MLAs will approach Raj Bhavan to withdraw their legislative support if the leadership does not take concrete steps before the 14-day deadline ends.
Aga Ruhullah’s Resignation Adds To NC’s Problems
The reported revolt comes as the National Conference faces another challenge over Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi‘s announced resignation.
Ruhullah has said he will formally quit both the National Conference and his Lok Sabha seat on November 3. He has accused the party leadership of moving away from its ideological commitments and failing to uphold the mandate it sought during the elections.
He has specifically criticised what he sees as the party’s retreat from its promise to challenge the constitutional changes introduced on August 5, 2019.
His criticism from outside the party, along with the reported dissent among 25 MLAs, has put the NC leadership under pressure on two fronts.
