Twenty-five NC MLAs issue 14-day ultimatum to Omar Abdullah government
Dissident legislators have threatened to withdraw support and march to Raj Bhavan if their demands are not met within two weeks.
Twenty-five National Conference (NC) MLAs have issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir. The dissident legislators have threatened to march to Raj Bhavan and formally withdraw their legislative support if the party leadership does not address their demands within the period.
The rebel faction is reportedly seeking a complete overhaul of the government. Their demands include the removal of all current ministers from their portfolios and the immediate dismissal of the Chief Minister's Advisor.
The MLAs have also requested that the party form a new council of ministers using a merit-based process. They want the leadership to consult the full legislature party regarding ministerial appointments instead of allowing a small group to make unilateral decisions.
The group has raised concerns regarding the party's ideological stance and election manifesto. They are demanding an aggressive push for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and other constitutional safeguards, and want the government to take these issues up with the BJP-led central government.
This internal crisis coincides with the announced resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi. Mehdi stated he will resign from the National Conference and his Lok Sabha seat on November 3, accusing the leadership of diluting its ideological commitments.
The National Conference holds 41 of the 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. A withdrawal of support by 25 MLAs would significantly impact the government's majority.