Srinagar, Nov 06: Amid growing speculation about discontent within the National Conference, party president Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed reports of a possible split, saying the grievances raised by around 16 legislators were genuine and that the leadership would take steps to address them.
Abdullah’s remarks came after he met the legislators, who had reportedly sought an interaction with the party’s top leadership amid concerns over the functioning of the organisation and the government.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener Dr Farooq Abdullah said the leadership had listened to the legislators and assured them that their concerns would be addressed in phases.
“We have spoken to them. Their problems were genuine. They were heard properly. We will take some steps quickly and some steps slowly,” he said.
The NC president said the party would focus on strengthening both its organisational structure and the government to ensure that people’s grievances were resolved.
Seeking to dismiss speculation about a possible rebellion or division within the party, Abdullah said the National Conference remained united.
“The news that a split is taking place in the National Conference is completely baseless. This community is organised, and those who think they can break it should remember that it has never been broken and never will be,” he said.
The meeting comes at a politically significant time for the National Conference, which leads the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Reports of differences among a section of legislators had triggered questions about the relationship between the party leadership, its legislators and the government.
While Abdullah did not elaborate on the specific grievances raised during the meeting, his acknowledgment that the concerns were genuine suggests that the leadership is seeking to address the discontent rather than dismiss it as speculation.
Beyond the immediate organisational concerns, Abdullah reiterated that the party would continue to pursue its larger political demands, including restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and Article 370.
“Our fight for the restoration of statehood will continue. Our fight for Article 370 and Article 35A will also continue, and, Inshallah, we will take the matter to the Supreme Court,” he said.
The restoration of statehood and the protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status were among the major promises made by the NC during the 2024 Assembly elections.
The Supreme Court, in December 2023, upheld the Centre’s August 2019 decision to abrogate Article 370. It also directed the Election Commission to conduct Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and called for the restoration of statehood at the earliest.
The NC returned to power after the 2024 Assembly elections, with Omar Abdullah taking over as Chief Minister. The party’s political challenge since then has been to balance the expectations raised during the elections with the limited powers available to an elected government in a Union Territory.
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