Farooq Abdullah rules out National Conference split, promises step‑by‑step fixes for dissenting legislators

National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah said on Friday that the party will not split despite rumors and that a step‑by‑step plan will address the concerns of 17 dissenting legislators.

What Happened

The 17 legislators met with top NC leaders in Srinagar for two hours on November 6. They had earlier held a separate meeting on Oct 27 and submitted a joint resolution demanding the removal of CM Omar Abdullah’s adviser Nasir Aslam Wani, reassignment of the Roads and Buildings portfolio from Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, and a reshuffle of the cabinet after a new expansion on Oct 27. A 10‑point memorandum also called for time‑bound implementation of the election manifesto, a stronger fight for the restoration of Jammu‑Kashmir statehood and special status under Articles 370 and 35A, a consultative advisory group of legislators, and a high‑powered disciplinary committee.

Reaction

Farooq Abdullah, accompanied by vice‑president Omar Abdullah and dissenting leaders Mubarak Gul and Nazir Gurezi, said the legislators’ issues were genuine and that some steps would be taken immediately while others would follow slowly. Gurezi complained that media exaggerated the story, stressing there is no separate party and that the leadership has promised a gradual resolution. He also reiterated the party’s continued struggle for statehood and the special status provisions.

Context

Internal disagreements often surface after cabinet reshuffles, especially when senior members feel excluded. In Jammu‑Kashmir, demands for restoring the pre‑2019 special status remain a recurring theme in NC politics.