SRINAGAR: Senior National Conference leader and Cabinet Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday dismissed the possibility of dissent or rebellion within the ruling party following its recent Cabinet expansion, saying differences of opinion among leaders did not undermine the organisation’s unity.
Responding to concerns over resentment among senior legislators denied ministerial berths, Itoo said party members were entitled to express their grievances and that such views should not automatically be construed as opposition to the leadership.
Describing the National Conference as a family, she maintained that its leaders and legislators remained committed to the party and public service, irrespective of the positions assigned to them. She also said ministerial office was not the only avenue through which leaders could contribute to the organisation.
The remarks come amid discontent among sections of the party following Tuesday’s induction of four legislators — Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo — into the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers.
The exclusion of senior leader Mubarak Gul triggered protests by his supporters at the party headquarters in Srinagar. Abdul Majeed Larmi also publicly expressed disappointment over being overlooked for a ministerial position, citing his seniority and long association with the party. Gul was subsequently appointed general secretary of the National Conference.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani acknowledged the disappointment among party legislators following the expansion on Tuesday, saying every MLA aspired to become a minister but Jammu and Kashmir’s Union Territory status presented its own challenges.
“There may be resentment or disappointment, and they have the right to be angry because they are the family,” Wani said, acknowledging that legislators who were not inducted into the Cabinet had grounds to feel disappointed.
