SRINAGAR: With National Conference (NC) facing its biggest internal challenge in recent decades, party president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah held a meeting with 15 of the 25 rebel MLAs at the former’s residence for over two hours on Friday morning in a bid to defuse the crisis.While Farooq sought to mollify the rebels by terming their demands “genuine”, Omar sought to play the emotional card by offering to resign several times during the meeting, construing the criticism of his cabinet ministers and his adviser Nasir Aslam Wani as akin to questioning his leadership. He walked out of the meeting at least three times before being persuaded by the MLAs to return, sources said.While the rebels’ key demands — replacing all eight ministers, including deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, and removing Wani — remained unresolved, the meeting agreed on setting up consultative committees of legislators for each cabinet minister and a separate manifesto committee to monitor the implementation of the party’s election promises, including the restoration of J&K’s special status, sources said.This is the first time…
Abdullahs navigate rebellion as Farooq backs MLAs, Omar offers to resign
In short
National Conference party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a two-hour meeting with 15 rebel lawmakers to resolve the escalating leadership dispute. Although Omar Abdullah repeatedly offered to step down during the session, party leaders ultimately denied any internal split and offered several administrative compromises. The leadership agreed to establish consultative legislative panels and a manifesto tracking committee, while also keeping open the possibility of a future cabinet reshuffle within a year.
Key points
- The National Conference will form consultative committees of lawmakers to oversee each go…: The National Conference will form consultative committees of lawmakers to oversee each government minister.
- A dedicated manifesto committee will be created to actively monitor the implementation of…: A dedicated manifesto committee will be created to actively monitor the implementation of election promises.
- Both party leaders and dissident members reaffirmed their shared commitment to restoring…: Both party leaders and dissident members reaffirmed their shared commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood and Article 370.