Nineteen National Conference MLAs adopted a resolution seeking a cabinet reshuffle and the removal of two aides. The move reflects discontent after several senior legislators were overlooked in the latest expansion.
Trouble is brewing within Jammu and Kashmir’s ruling National Conference, with 19 disgruntled MLAs adopting a joint resolution seeking a major reshuffle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet and the removal of two of his close aides over alleged interference in party and administrative affairs.
The dissenting legislators have urged the party leadership to drop all ministers who have completed two years in office and redistribute cabinet positions on the basis of merit and balanced regional representation, sources present at the meeting told India Today.
They have also sought the removal of party leader Nasir Aslam Wani and Member of Parliament Shammi Oberoi, accusing the two of interfering in party affairs and administrative decision-making.
19 MLAS MEET IN SRINAGAR, PREPARE RESOLUTION FOR FAROOQ ABDULLAH
The legislators, representing constituencies in both the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region, held a nearly four-hour meeting on Friday evening at the Srinagar residence of MLA Qaiser Jamshed Lone.
While some participants reportedly sought to describe the gathering as a routine lunch meeting, those present discussed their grievances and prepared a formal resolution to be submitted to National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
According to sources, 19 MLAs attended the meeting, including Abdul Majid Larmi, Hasnain Masoodi, Sajad Shafi, Javid Choudhary, Hilal Akbar Lone, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, Farooq Shah, Bashir Ahmed Veeri, Khurshid Ahmed, Mustaq Guroo, Muzaffar Iqbal, Nazir Gurezi and Qaiser Jamshed Lone.
MUBARAK GUL STRIPPED OF GENERAL SECRETARY POST
The internal dissent has also led to action against senior party leader Mubarak Gul, who was removed from his recently assigned position as general secretary.
Gul had attended Friday’s meeting and had reportedly declined to take up the organisational post after being left out of the council of ministers during the October 27 cabinet expansion.
His removal comes amid growing discontent among senior legislators who were overlooked during the latest expansion.
