24 NC MLAs raise demands against Omar Abdullah amid cabinet rejig

All is not well in the Omar Abdulla led National Conference(NC). Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister  Omar Abdullah is facing mounting dissent within National Conference (NC), days after expanding his Cabinet. As many as 24 party MLAs have reportedly joined hands to demand changes in the government and greater internal democracy, putting the party leadership under pressure.The legislators held a closed-door meeting in Srinagar on Friday, where they discussed a series of demands, including the removal of the Chief Minister's advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. They have also sought a complete restructuring of the Council of Ministers.
Asper information, at least 18 NC legislators attended the meeting at the residence of Qaisar Jamshid Lone, who represents the Lolab constituency. Another six MLAs reportedly participated through video conference, taking the number of legislators to 24.The group is learnt to include legislators from both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region. Presently, the National Conference has 41 MLAs in the 90-member Assembly. It formed the government with the support of the Congress (six MLAs), smaller parties and Independents.
“We want to meet the Chief Minister to convey our demands. We are not against the party, but it cannot be business as usual. He (the CM) should listen to us and make changes that are in the interest of the party and the government,” a disgruntled MLA said, as per reports.The group has reportedly identified four key demands: Wani's removal, the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, dropping ministers who have completed two years in office and restructuring the entire Cabinet.
Amid the reported dissent, NC president Farooq Abdullah removed Mubarak Gul from the post of party general secretary. Gul had attended the meeting at Lone's residence. The development comes days after the Cabinet expansion, following which Gul, who had reportedly sought a ministerial berth, was elevated to the organisational position. NC spokesperson Ifra Jan rejected suggestions of a major revolt within the party and questioned reports that 20 MLAs had attended the meeting.