Top NC leaders reach out to disgruntled lawmakers in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. File

Facing a political upheaval, the ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir has gone into firefighting mode and fanned out top leaders to reach out to around 20 legislators who raised the banner of dissension over the party functioning and certain leaders close to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The disgruntled legislators put forth 10-point demands to “restructure the party”.

Top sources in the party said NC general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, his son Salman Sagar and NC Member of Parliament Shami Oberoi held talks, in the past 24 hours, with several dissident NC leaders who met at the residence of NC lawmaker Qaiser Jamsheed Lone in Srinagar on October 27.

Senior NC leaders confirmed to The Hindu that the NC’s reach out to placate the legislators. One dissident leader, however, said the NC had to bring reforms within and end coterie culture to address the unrest. Meanwhile, several NC legislators who attended the meeting changed their tone towards the party leadership.

“It is unfortunate that some people have tried to give a different colour and meaning to the gathering at one of our colleague’s residence the other day. I had not gone there with the intention to ditch my leader or my party. We are what we are because of the NC, and our fidelity to the party goes far beyond posts and positions,” said NC leader Hilal Lone.

Pledging loyalty to the party, Mr. Lone said, “I am, like my father, loyal to the party and to my leader, Omar Abdullah sahab. If we have any concerns, we will place them before our leader once he returns from Delhi. Those who are trying to give a different interpretation to our gathering at our colleague’s residence, whether acting at the behest of the opposition or driven by their own vested interests, are only trying to create unnecessary confusion,” said Mr. Lone, who represents the Sonawari constituency.

Showkat Hussain Ganai, a lawmaker from Zainapora, said, “No legislator intends to topple the government. I have spoken to all my colleagues, and they are all committed soldiers of the party. However, some may have grievances, which need to be addressed by the party.”

Meanwhile, the NC leaders have submitted a memorandum to the top leadership of the party, including party president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Mr. Omar Abdullah. Source said the demands were three-pronged, one on the reforms within the party and another pointed at NC leaders, such as Mr. Omar Abdullah’s adviser Mr. Wani and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, about whom objections were raised. And the third dealt with unattended ideological commitment the party made with voters in 2024.

The 10-point memorandum also called for a time-bound implementation of the election manifesto and intensification of the struggle for restoration of Statehood and special status. Implementation of Dachigam meeting resolutions (where complaints were raised against Mr. Choudhary), Cabinet restructuring and ministerial accountability and replacement of the Adviser to the Chief Minister were raised in the memorandum, party sources said.

On the party functioning, it demanded constitution of a consultative advisory group of legislators, constitution of a high-powered disciplinary committee, strengthening of the party’s media and communication cell and immediate organisational reforms and establishment of an election cell. Besides, the dissenting legislators pushed for regular meetings of the State Working Committee of the party.