In an effort to manage the most significant internal challenge the National Conference (NC) has faced in decades, party president Farooq Abdullah and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a high-stakes meeting with 15 of their 25 rebel legislators on Friday. The two-hour discussion at the elder Abdullah’s residence was aimed at de-escalating tensions that have recently threatened the stability of the administration.
During the session, Farooq Abdullah took a conciliatory approach, characterizing the demands brought forward by the rebel MLAs as "genuine." Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah adopted a more personal tone, reportedly offering his resignation on several occasions. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, the Chief Minister interpreted the criticism directed toward his cabinet ministers and his adviser, Nasir Aslam Wani, as a direct challenge to his leadership. His frustration was evident as he walked out of the meeting three times before being persuaded by the MLAs to return.
While immediate concessions regarding the replacement of all eight cabinet ministers—including Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary—and the removal of Wani were not finalized, the meeting resulted in an agreement to establish new internal oversight mechanisms. These include the formation of consultative committees for each cabinet minister and a separate manifesto committee designed to track the implementation of the party's election promises, specifically the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
This confrontation marks the first time in roughly 40 years that National Conference legislators have openly challenged the party’s central leadership. Following the meeting, Farooq Abdullah, appearing alongside his son and the group of MLAs, addressed the media to dispel rumors of a party split. He asserted that the National Conference remains "united and strong," adding that the party would give due consideration to the legislators' concerns.
"We have spoken to the legislators, and their concerns and grievances are genuine. We will give due consideration to them," Farooq Abdullah stated, noting that some confidence-building measures would be implemented immediately, while others would be integrated over time. He reiterated the party's firm commitment to the pursuit of statehood restoration and the reinstatement of Article 370.
The sentiment was echoed by Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, the MLA for Bijbehara, who reaffirmed the group's ideological stance. "We remain committed to Article 370," he said. He added that while it took the BJP nearly 70 years to remove the provision, their own campaign for its restoration is in its early stages. Another legislator noted that the leadership had expressed a willingness to consider a cabinet reshuffle within the next year, describing the meeting as a productive step toward strengthening the party’s internal operations.
The NC leadership is now tasked with balancing the demands of its disgruntled representatives with the need to maintain a functioning government. As the party moves forward, the success of these new consultative committees will likely determine whether the internal rebellion has been successfully contained or if the underlying tensions within the legislative wing will continue to impact the administration’s agenda in the coming months.
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