Omar Abdullah Government Crisis: Will 25 NC MLAs Withdraw Support Within 14 Days?

J&K: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's troubles seem to be increasing. Amidst the happiness of marriage, speculations of rebellion in his own party National Conference (NC) have increased. According to media reports, about 25 MLAs of the party are angry with the leadership and are warning of withdrawing support from the government. However, so far no MLA has publicly announced rebellion or withdrawal of support. Some party leaders have also rejected these reports.

According to reports quoting sources, the angry MLAs have given 14 days time to the top leadership of the party to fulfill their demands. It has been warned that if the demands are not met, the MLAs can march to Raj Bhavan and formally announce their withdrawal of support.

Why are National Conference MLAs angry?

According to the report, the resentment of the MLAs increased after the cabinet expansion on October 27. During this period, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had made four National Conference MLAs Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmed Wani ministers.

Many senior MLAs are said to be angry with this decision. Six-time MLA and former Assembly Speaker Ghulam Ali and Abdul Majeed Larmi had also expressed their displeasure over not getting ministerial posts. After this, reports of a meeting of angry MLAs at the residence of Kaiser Jamshed Lone came to light.

Which 5 big demands were put forth by the angry MLAs?

According to media reports, the angry MLAs have put forward five major demands before the party leadership.

1. All the current ministers of the government should be removed.
2. The Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister should be changed.
3. The new Council of Ministers should be formed in an impartial manner.
4. A meeting of the legislative party should be called before the appointment of new ministers.
5. Concrete steps should be taken on the issue of restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.

The MLAs are said to believe that there is a need to seriously think about the functioning of the government and the election promises of the party.

Will MP Ruhullah Mehdi also leave the party?

The problems of the National Conference are not limited to the displeasure of the MLAs alone. Party's Lok Sabha MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi is also continuously raising his voice against the leadership. He has said that November 3 will be the date for leaving the party and the post of MP.

Ruhullah alleges that the National Conference had made promises like restoration of Article 370, release of prisoners and protection of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir, but after coming to power, expected action was not taken on them. He has accused the party leadership of going back on its election promises.

Omar Abdullah's government is running with the support of how many MLAs?

There are a total of 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the National Conference has 41 MLAs. Congress is also a coalition partner of the Omar Abdullah government. In such a situation, if there is a rebellion within the party, questions may arise on the stability of the government.

However, party MLA Hilal Akbar Lone has termed the news of rebellion as false and said that some people are misrepresenting the general meeting of MLAs. He has also reiterated his loyalty to the party and leadership.

At present the official position on the news of internal resentment in the National Conference is not clear. In such a situation, this development can be very important for Omar Abdullah government and party leadership in the coming days.