Farooq Abdullah dismisses NC rift reports as ‘baseless rumours’ after meeting with dissident MLAs

Srinagar: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday said that his party was united and organised, dismissing reports of a split or rift within the ruling party.

Abdullah, along with J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah and a group of dissident MLAs, addressed the media after a nearly two-hour-long meeting. At least 18 NC MLAs, supported by a few independent MLAs who are part of the ruling coalition, had expressed concerns over the party's decision-making process and functioning following a reshuffle and expansion of the Council of Ministers in October.

They had submitted a 10-point memorandum to the leadership, which included demands for the removal of the CM's advisor Nasir Aslam and the withdrawal of the PWD portfolio from deputy CM Surinder Choudhary.


After meeting the MLAs, including Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), Mubarak Gul, Bashir Veeri and Abdul Majid Larmi, the NC president dismissed speculation about any fissures within the party as "baseless rumours" and asserted that the party "will never be broken".

"Everyone was heard. God willing, some steps will be taken immediately, while others will be taken gradually to strengthen the party and the government," Abdullah said.

The NC president said the hardships faced by the people would be addressed and that, alongside the fight for the restoration of statehood, "the struggle for Article 370 and 35A will continue... and it will be taken to its logical conclusion," he said.

"A few days ago, we sat together at a place, and from there, social media hyped it up as if a separate faction had emerged from the NC. No separate faction or party has emerged," Gurezi said. The legislator from Gurez said there were certain issues that the MLAs had placed before the CM and the party president.

"They have given us their assurance regarding political matters and other issues. Some issues will be addressed immediately, while work on others will be carried out gradually," Gurezi said.