Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNO): Amid speculation over internal differences within the National Conference following the recent cabinet expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, party legislators Salman Sagar and Farooq Shah on Saturday dismissed reports of a possible split, asserting that the NC remains united and that any concerns among MLAs would be addressed by the leadership.
Speaking to reporters, Salman Sagar, as reported by news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that minor differences within a political party were natural and should not be portrayed as a crisis.
"We are one family, and minor issues do arise from time to time in a family. Once our leader arrives here in a day or two, he will personally take stock of the situation. Wherever he finds genuine grievances, he will address them, and wherever there are misunderstandings, he will guide the MLAs," Sagar said.
Describing NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah as a fatherly figure, Sagar said his decision would be final and expressed confidence that the party leadership would address the concerns of legislators.
Similarly, MLA Farooq Shah rejected reports of internal divisions, saying the National Conference was not merely a political organisation but a movement with strong public support.
"National Conference is not merely a political party; it is a movement. There are no differences within the party. When 18 to 20 MLAs sit together at a social function, discussions are bound to happen. Whatever was discussed was in the interest and betterment of the party," Shah said.
Both legislators defended recent meetings among party MLAs, maintaining that such discussions were normal and should not be interpreted as signs of rebellion.
Sagar said that elected representatives had every right to discuss party matters, while Shah maintained that all legislators continued to respect the leadership.
"If our honourable MLAs have held discussions among themselves, there is nothing wrong with that. However, such meetings are sometimes projected in a manner that makes the situation appear worse than it actually is," Sagar said.
On the recent cabinet expansion and reported dissatisfaction among some legislators, both leaders said ministerial appointments were decisions taken by the leadership and should be respected.
Sagar said the cabinet's limited size made such decisions difficult, adding that the selection of ministers was ultimately Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's prerogative.
"These are normal human reactions. The current situation is different because the cabinet is very small. Ultimately, it is Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's prerogative to decide whom to include in his cabinet," he said.
Echoing similar views, Shah said that with eight ministerial slots apart from the Chief Minister and 41 party MLAs, it was not possible to accommodate everyone in the council of ministers.
He added that the collective priority of party legislators should remain addressing public grievances, fulfilling electoral promises and accelerating development across Jammu and Kashmir.
Sagar, meanwhile, described the legislators expressing grievances as pillars of the National Conference and asserted that they would remain with the party.
"These leaders are the foundation of the National Conference. They are not going anywhere," he said.
Taking a dig at opposition parties over reports of internal divisions, Sagar said those celebrating a possible split in the NC should not be too optimistic.
"To those who are celebrating and thinking that the National Conference is breaking apart, I want to say: do not be too happy. Your happiness will last only 12 or 24 hours," he remarked.
On speculation surrounding senior NC leader and Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Sagar said his departure from the party would be unfortunate.
"He is a senior leader and a religious leader. He understands what is right and wrong for him, but personally, I believe he should not take such a step," Sagar said.
Reaffirming the National Conference's political agenda, Sagar said the party remained committed to its struggle for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, statehood and the political rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
"No political party can claim to be a greater defender of Article 370 than the National Conference. We protected it for as long as we were in power," he said.
He also criticised the BJP and PDP over their roles in the political developments surrounding the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
"Some people expect the BJP to restore Article 370, but they are ignoring the fact that the BJP itself removed it. Those who took it away are not going to restore it," Sagar said.
Both leaders maintained that strengthening the party, ensuring political stability and working for the welfare and development of Jammu and Kashmir would remain their collective priorities—(KNO)