Politics

NC Legislators Demand Cabinet Overhaul and Removal of Omar Abdullah’s Adviser

By Naseer Ganai

Around 25 National Conference (NC) legislators in Jammu and Kashmir have called for a complete cabinet overhaul and the removal of Omar Abdullah’s political adviser, Nasir Aslam Wani, revealing growing discontent within the ruling party. The resolution was passed at a meeting held at the home of NC MLA Qaiser Jamshaid Lone on Friday evening. About 18 MLAs attended in person and seven joined online, according to a participant. NC has 41 MLAs in the 90‑member assembly and governs a coalition that includes six Congress, six independent and one CPM legislator. The resolution demands the replacement of all eight cabinet ministers, including the deputy chief minister, within 15 days and the dismissal of Wani for the “larger good of the party.” NC provincial president for Kashmir, Showkat Mir, confirmed the meeting but downplayed its significance, stating it was not directed against the party. He noted that some senior legislators wanted an appointment with NC president Farooq Abdullah and that the CM can appoint only eight ministers in the Union Territory setup, though 24 legislators could be accommodated if statehood were restored. Omar Abdullah, 56, and his father Farooq Abdullah are in New Delhi, where Omar celebrated his wedding with journalist Nidhi Razdan. Omar posted a photo on social media, writing, “A new journey began yesterday.” On July 31, the Supreme Court granted Omar a divorce after the couple settled their matrimonial dispute through mediation. The NC turmoil coincides with party MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s decision to quit the party and surrender his Lok Sabha seat on November 3, accusing Omar and his ministers of betraying the party’s promises on the restoration of Article 370 and the protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s rights. Mehdi wrote on X, “The crown prince and his cabal treat J&K as an estate passed down through the family,” and accused NC of seeking votes on promises to restore Article 370 and release prisoners, only to abandon them after assuming office. He will address people in Budgam on November 3, the death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, a Congress politician and prominent Shiite cleric assassinated in a terrorist attack on November 3, 2000. Mehdi has been among Omar’s sharpest critics, accusing him of abandoning NC’s manifesto. The MLAs’ meeting followed Omar’s cabinet expansion last week, which triggered open dissent, protests and allegations of internal bias in NC after four ministers were inducted, taking the cabinet’s strength to nine, including the CM. He dropped Satish Sharma, leaving only two ministers from Jammu region – deputy CM Surinder Choudhary and Javed Ahmed Rana. BJP opposition leader Sunil Sharma has predicted a split in NC and the collapse of Omar’s government, saying, “I am telling you there is unrest against the party brass. They are looking for an alternative. Govt will not remain and the party will not remain.”