SRINAGAR: The first Cabinet reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah-led government has triggered fresh dissent within the ruling National Conference (NC), with around 20 party MLAs and several independent legislators supporting the government holding a closed-door meeting to discuss their concerns and future course of action.
According to sources, the meeting was held on Friday at the Srinagar residence of NC MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone. The legislators reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the exclusion of several senior party leaders from the Council of Ministers and questioned whether seniority and merit had been adequately considered during the Cabinet reshuffle.
Sources indicated that the disgruntled legislators could submit a representation to the party leadership seeking the replacement of four ministers who have been part of the government since its formation with fresh faces. The meeting is being viewed as an attempt to build pressure on the party leadership to reconsider the Cabinet’s composition and address the concerns of sidelined legislators.
Discontent has also surfaced publicly, with two senior NC leaders, Mubarak Gul, a six-time MLA, and Abdul Majeed Larmi, a four-time MLA, expressing their displeasure over the reshuffle. Their supporters have also staged protests, demanding that the party leadership reconsider its decision.
On Friday evening, supporters of Gul took out a torchlight procession, demanding his induction into the Cabinet. The resentment was also evident during Tuesday’s oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, which was skipped by at least 11 NC legislators.
The four ministers inducted into the Cabinet are Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Kaloo. Independent MLA Satish Sharma, who represents Jammu, was dropped from the Council of Ministers.
The developments have exposed growing unease within the ruling party following the Cabinet reshuffle, placing pressure on the NC leadership to manage internal dissent while maintaining unity within the government.
