J&K minister dismisses impact of Ruhullah Mehdi leaving National Conference
Minister Javed Rana said the party remains strong despite speculation regarding Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi's planned exit.
Jammu and Kashmir minister Javed Rana on Saturday dismissed speculation that the planned exit of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi would affect the National Conference. Mehdi intends to resign from the party and his Lok Sabha seat on November 3.
Rana stated that if Mehdi decides to part ways, he will do so alone and it would not impact the party. He said the government under chief minister Omar Abdullah is robust and the party organisation under Dr Farooq Abdullah remains solid.
The minister addressed reports of discontent within the party, attributing such feelings to the limited number of ministerial positions. He noted that several legislators want to join the cabinet but available slots are restricted.
According to sources, more than a dozen party legislators met on Friday evening at the residence of Lolab representative Qaiser Jamshaid Lone. Some others joined the meeting online to discuss seeking the resignation of the entire council of ministers and advisor Nasir Ahmad Wani.
JKNC Kashmir president Showkat Ahmad Mir acknowledged that some members expressed concerns following the cabinet expansion. Mir described these differences as part of the party's internal democratic process and suggested claims of 27 members being involved were blown out of proportion by the BJP.