NC dissident MLAs meet Farooq, Omar Abdullah in Srinagar over key demands
Synopsis
Senior NC MLAs including six-time legislator Mubarak Gul marched to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's Srinagar residence on 6 November, demanding the removal of Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, an advisor, and an MP accused of party interference — a rare open revolt that tests the NC high command's grip on its own assembly majority.
Key Takeaways
Dissident National Conference MLAs met CM Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar on 6 November .
The bloc, led by six-time MLA Mubarak Gul , demanded removal of Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary or stripping of his R&B portfolio .
Dissidents also want the removal of CM advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and an end to alleged interference by NC MP Shammi Oberoi .
Discontent erupted after a cabinet reshuffle ; Mubarak Gul said he had attended 20 swearing-in ceremonies without ever being made a minister.
The NC high command is reportedly unlikely to concede fully; outcome will shape the party's legislative cohesion in Jammu and Kashmir .
Dissident legislators of the ruling National Conference (NC) on Friday, 6 November convened at the Srinagar residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to press a set of political demands on the party high command, signalling a simmering rebellion within the government less than a year into its tenure.
Who Led the Delegation
The dissident bloc was led by Mubarak Gul, a senior NC leader and six-time MLA, and included Abdul Majeed Larmi, retired justice Hasnain Masoodi, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, and Pirzada Farooq Shah. The group met both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah, effectively taking their grievances to the apex of the party's power structure.
Key Demands on the Table
The dissidents are reportedly pressing for several significant changes. Chief among them is the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, or at minimum the divestiture of his Roads and Buildings (R&B) portfolio. The group is also demanding the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to the Chief Minister, and an end to alleged interference in party affairs by NC MP Shammi Oberoi. Additionally, the dissidents are calling for the dropping of ministers who have already completed two years in the council of ministers.
What Triggered the Discontent
The discontent crystallised following a cabinet reshuffle carried out by Omar Abdullah. Mubarak Gul publicly stated that he had attended 20 swearing-in ceremonies of the council of ministers without ever being inducted into the cabinet. In an emotionally charged moment, MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi broke down before reporters while speaking about his long-standing loyalty to the party and what he described as persistent neglect by the high command. This is not the first instance of intra-party friction within the NC since it returned to power in Jammu and Kashmir, but the scale and seniority of those involved this time make it harder to dismiss as routine grumbling.
Outcome and What It Signals
The outcome of Friday's meeting remains uncertain. According to reports, the party high command appears unlikely to concede fully to the dissidents' demands, though a via media — a middle-ground accommodation — has not been ruled out. The episode will test whether Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah treat the dissent as a credible political threat or as a momentary expression of frustration. How the high command responds could have broader implications for NC's legislative cohesion in a newly reconstituted assembly.
Earlier in the Day
Separately, both Dr Farooq Abdullah and CM Omar Abdullah offered condolences to NC MLA Ahsan Pardesi, whose father Sheikh Gulam Qadir Pardesi passed away on Wednesday. The meeting with the dissident bloc followed these condolences.
All eyes are now on the NC leadership's formal response, which will indicate whether the party opts for political accommodation or risks a deepening factional divide heading into the next phase of Jammu and Kashmir's governance.
Point of View
Not merely a personal grievance, and far harder for the high command to manage on a one-off basis.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are National Conference MLAs protesting against their own government?
The dissatisfaction stems from a cabinet reshuffle in which several senior legislators, including six-time MLA Mubarak Gul, were once again left out of the council of ministers. The MLAs say their years of loyalty to the party have not been rewarded with ministerial positions, triggering an open show of discontent.
What are the main demands of the dissident NC MLAs?
The dissidents are demanding the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary or the divestiture of his R&B portfolio, the removal of CM advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, an end to alleged party interference by NC MP Shammi Oberoi, and the dropping of ministers who have completed two years in the cabinet.
Who attended the meeting with Omar Abdullah on 6 November?
The delegation was led by senior NC leader and six-time MLA Mubarak Gul and included Abdul Majeed Larmi, retired justice Hasnain Masoodi, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, and Pirzada Farooq Shah. They met both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Is the NC high command likely to accept the dissidents' demands?
According to reports, the high command appears unlikely to fully concede to the demands, though some middle-ground accommodation has not been ruled out. The outcome will determine how seriously the NC leadership views the rebellion as a threat to its legislative majority in Jammu and Kashmir.
How significant is this dissent for the NC government in Jammu and Kashmir?
It is notable for its scale and the seniority of those involved. The NC returned to power in Jammu and Kashmir relatively recently, and open rebellion from multiple sitting MLAs so early in the government's tenure puts pressure on the party's cohesion. The specific demand to remove the Deputy CM adds a sharper political edge to what might otherwise be dismissed as routine grievances.
