Politics

NC Leaders Meet Rebel MLAs, Agree on Committees Amid Unresolved Demands

By Naseer Ganai

In a meeting held at Farooq Abdullah’s residence on Friday morning, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah met with 15 of the party’s 25 rebel MLAs for over two hours to address a growing internal crisis. Farooq described the rebels’ demands as “genuine,” while Omar repeatedly offered to resign during the discussion, interpreting criticism of his cabinet ministers and adviser Nasir Aslam Wani as a challenge to his leadership. Omar walked out of the meeting at least three times before returning after the MLAs persuaded him to stay.

The rebels’ main demands—replacing all eight ministers, including deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary, and removing adviser Wani—were not resolved. However, the meeting agreed to establish consultative committees for each cabinet minister and a separate manifesto committee to monitor the implementation of the party’s election promises, including the restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status.

This is the first time in roughly four decades that NC MLAs have openly challenged the party leadership, creating a crisis for the Omar government. After the meeting, Farooq, accompanied by Omar and the MLAs, addressed the media and dismissed suggestions of a split or rebellion within the NC. He said the party was “united and strong,” that the legislators’ concerns were genuine, and that confidence‑building measures would be taken soon.

The NC chief reiterated the party’s commitment to restoring statehood and Article 370. Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, MLA from Bijbehara, said the party remained committed to Article 370 and would pursue the restoration of statehood aggressively. Another rebel legislator told TOI that the leadership had agreed to consider a cabinet reshuffle within a year and that the meeting had gone well, with all demands to strengthen the party accepted.