Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Nov 05 (JKNS): Amid growing differences within the ruling National Conference (NC), a group of dissatisfied party legislators is scheduled to hold another meeting on Thursday to finalise its collective stand ahead of crucial discussions with party president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday.
Sources told news agency JKNS that the legislators are likely to meet at the residence of senior NC leader and MLA Mubarak Gul to discuss their grievances and chalk out a strategy before presenting their demands to the party leadership.
This will be the fourth meeting of the group in the past seven days, following a series of consultations among legislators after the recent Cabinet expansion on October 27, which reportedly left several party members dissatisfied over representation and the decision-making process.
Sources said the legislators are preparing to raise a range of issues, including restructuring of the Cabinet, assessment of ministers who have completed two years in office and action against those they consider non-performing.
The group has also reportedly sought the withdrawal of the Roads and Buildings portfolio from Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and the removal of Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani.
Apart from Cabinet-related matters, the legislators are expected to raise concerns over governance, coordination between elected representatives and the government, fulfilment of electoral commitments, restoration of statehood and special status, and organisational reforms within the party.
They are also understood to be seeking a formal mechanism for regular consultations with the government to ensure that constituency-level issues and public grievances receive due attention.
Meanwhile, dissatisfaction expressed by senior NC leader Mubarak Gul over his exclusion from the recent Cabinet expansion and certain organisational decisions is also understood to be among the issues surrounding the ongoing developments.
Gul’s son, Younus Gul, has publicly defended his father’s demand for recognition of his longstanding contribution to the party, maintaining that seeking due recognition should not be construed as rebellion.
The Friday meeting with Dr Farooq Abdullah is expected to provide an opportunity for the legislators to place their collective grievances before the party leadership and seek resolution through internal discussions. (JKNS)
