NC says meeting of 17 MLAs was internal democracy, not rebellion
National Conference provincial president Showkat Ahmad Mir downplayed a meeting of 17 legislators in Srinagar as an exercise in democracy.
National Conference (NC) provincial president Showkat Ahmad Mir on Saturday said a meeting of 17 NC MLAs in Srinagar was an internal exercise in democracy. According to The Hindu, Mir stated the meeting discussed concerns and future challenges but involved no confrontation with leadership or rebellion against the party organisation.
The four-hour meeting of the 17 legislators took place at a legislator's residence in Srinagar. The group had forwarded a list of demands to party president Farooq Abdullah, including the removal of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and reconsidering portfolios assigned to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.
The legislators also urged the intensification of the struggle for the restoration of Statehood and the implementation of 2024 manifesto promises within six months. The demands followed a Cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that left several leaders disappointed at not receiving ministerial berths.
Mir noted that the Chief Minister has only eight ministerial positions available in the Union Territory and had initially inducted five ministers. He added that more berths could be filled if Statehood is restored.
Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, who was retained in the Cabinet, said the legislators met for a meal to discuss party affairs. Dar said the meeting should not be interpreted as a revolt and that no legislator had announced a decision to challenge the leadership or leave the party.