NC rift widens: J&K minister dismisses impact of MP Ruhullah's exit

NEW DELHI: Amid ongoing resentment within the National Conference camp over the recent cabinet expansion, Jammu and Kashmir minister Javed Rana on Saturday said the party remained strong, with no resentment among its ranks, and dismissed speculation that Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi's planned exit would affect the party.

"If Agha Sahab decides to part ways, he will do so alone. If he leaves, he leaves by himself... Why would it affect the party?" Rana said, responding to questions about Ruhullah's decision to resign from the party and his Lok Sabha seat on November 3.

Rana said the government was robust under chief minister Omar Abdullah and the party organisation, under the leadership of Farooq Abdullah, stood firm.

"There is no resentment (in JKNC). The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference is strong, the government under the leadership of the chief minister is robust, and the organisation, under the leadership of Dr Farooq Sahab, stands firm, as solid as a rock," he said.

Rana also said the reported discontent within the party was due to the limited number of ministerial positions, adding that several legislators aspired to join the cabinet but the available slots were restricted. He also expressed hope that statehood would be restored soon and more ministers would be appointed.

"There are celebrations taking place across J&K regarding the cabinet expansion. I do not see any signs of discontent anywhere. Was any statement issued on their behalf? I do not believe there is any substantive evidence to support such claims," he said.

"There is no real resentment; it is simply a case of 'every MLA wishing to become a minister', but the available slots are very limited. Insha'Allah, statehood will be restored soon, and insha'Allah, ministers will be appointed," he added.

Cracks widened in the National Conference following the J&K cabinet expansion and a meeting of party legislators. The developments have also coincided with Ruhullah's announcement that he would quit the party and resign from his parliamentary seat on November 3.

Meanwhile, according to sources, over a dozen party legislators met on Friday evening at the residence of Qaiser Jamshaid Lone, who represents the Lolab constituency, with several others joining the meeting online.

They decided to seek the resignation of the entire council of ministers and demand that a new cabinet be formed through consensus, based on merit and in keeping with democratic principles, sources said. They also decided to seek the resignation of chief minister's advisor Nasir Ahmad Wani.

JKNC Kashmir president Showkat Ahmad Mir acknowledged that some party members had expressed concerns following the cabinet expansion, describing such differences as part of the party's internal democratic process.

"Following the expansion of the cabinet, some individuals expressed their concerns, which they are entitled to do as part of the internal democracy of the party. Regarding the meeting that took place yesterday, some MLAs with whom I am in touch mentioned receiving a phone call about a 'Darbar Move', where they discussed various pros and cons. Once they left, the situation was blown out of proportion with claims of 27 members involved, largely fuelled by the BJP, which is keen on spreading such rumours," Mir told news agency ANI.

"The BJP promised the people of Jammu that they would restore statehood and secured votes on that basis; today, the people of Jammu are rebuking them severely," he added.