National Conference MLAs demand removal of advisor and ministers

A group of National Conference (NC) legislators met in Srinagar on Friday and drafted a list of demands that includes the removal of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and the dismissal of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary along with other ministers who have served two years. The meeting, attended by at least 18 MLAs in person and six more via video link, was held at the residence of MLA Qaisar Jamshid Lone and was described by participants as an effort to promote internal democracy and accountability within the party.

"We want to meet the Chief Minister to convey our demands. We are not against the party, but it cannot be business as usual. He should listen to us and make changes that are in the interest of the party and the government," said one MLA.

"We have taken an oath to fight for internal democracy in the party. We want the removal of the CM's advisor and some ministers, a roadmap for implementing the party manifesto, and the empowerment of MLAs," said another legislator.

"We are not rebels. We want to strengthen the party. Everyone at the meeting wanted the party to remain united. We are only demanding accountability and want to ensure that the party and the government are not treated as the fiefdom of a few individuals," said a senior leader.

The NC holds 41 seats in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and governs with the support of Congress MLAs, smaller parties and independents. With 24 legislators reportedly aligned with the dissenting group, the party leadership could face a significant internal challenge. The dissent coincides with the announcement by Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah that he will resign from both his parliamentary seat and the party, citing a long-standing strained relationship with the Abdullah family.