Reports of discontent emerge after four legislators are inducted into Omar Abdullah government; several NC leaders, including Kangan MLA, said to have missed ceremony
WS/VP
Srinagar, Oct 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet expansion has brought the National Conference’s internal dynamics into focus, with senior legislator Nazir Ahmad Gurezi skipping the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday and two newly inducted ministers visiting his residence amid reports of discontent over the allocation of ministerial berths.
Sources told The Web Story/The Varmul Post Ministers Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and Mir Saifullah visited Gurezi’s residence after the ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar. The visit came amid reports that Gurezi, whose name was reportedly under consideration for a ministerial position, was left out of the final list.
Gurezi’s absence from the ceremony has fuelled speculation about his response to the Cabinet expansion. Sources also said several National Conference leaders, including the party’s MLA from Kangan, did not attend the event. The reasons for their absence could not be independently ascertained.
There was no official confirmation of any differences between Gurezi and the party leadership. The visit by the two ministers, however, came amid questions over the possible discontent among legislators who did not make it to the Council of Ministers.
The Opposition was quick to seize on the developments. Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and BJP leader Sunil Sharma said he would stand by legislators who had missed out on ministerial berths, while placing the responsibility for addressing their grievances on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“I will wipe their tears, but it is Omar Sahab’s responsibility to wipe those tears. We will also wipe them,” Sharma said.
The Cabinet expansion saw four legislators — Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo — inducted into the Omar Abdullah-led government, taking the Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible strength of nine, including the Chief Minister.
The developments have raised questions over whether the expansion has left some party legislators dissatisfied, although the National Conference leadership has not publicly acknowledged any internal discord.
