Omar set to meet NC’s rebel MLAs today

Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah will hold a meeting with the dissident legislators of National Conference (NC) on Friday and listen to their demands, party sources said, adding that he will try to redress the grievances of the MLAs. The meeting comes in the wake of an open revolt that has shaken the party following a cabinet expansion, which triggered allegations of bias. Around 25 legislators have demanded replacement of all eight cabinet ministers, including the deputy CM, within 15 days, and removal of Omar's close aide and political adviser Nasir Aslam Wani, who is believed to be taking all important decisions of the govt. Earlier in the day, NC legislator Salman Sagar dismissed reports of a rebellion, saying some MLAs had raised concerns and will meet the party leadership on Friday. "They are not rebels. There are differences and grievances in every party and every home. I am hopeful that these issues will be addressed at the meeting," he said after meeting Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, who is believed to be the leading voice among the legislators upset over the cabinet reshuffle, in Srinagar. The NC leadership was in direct touch with the legislators, Sagar said.