15 disgruntled NC MLAs at Farooq Abdullah's home, CM Omar sets conditions

Tensions within the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) escalated as 15 disgruntled MLAs gathered at party president Farooq Abdullah's residence in Srinagar for a crucial meeting aimed at resolving the growing rebellion against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.According to sources, the Chief Minister has refused to meet the lone Independent MLA who is part of the dissident group, conveying that he is willing to hold talks only with legislators belonging to the NC.The legislators who arrived for the meeting are Javed Mirchal, Sajad Shafi Uri, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, Farooq Jan, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Abdul Majid Bhat alias Larmi, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Mubarak Gul, Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Aijaz Ahmad Jan, Javed Iqbal Choudhary, Saif-ud-Din Bhat and Qaisar Jamshaid Lone.#WATCH | Srinagar: Visuals from outside the residence of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, where some MLAs, reportedly unhappy with the recent Cabinet expansion, arrive to meet him and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah https://t.co/rgzaGYaQRT— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2026The disgruntled MLAs are expected to formally submit their resolution to the party high command, placing their demands before the leadership amid the ongoing internal crisis. The meeting comes amid mounting discontent over the recent Cabinet expansion and the functioning of the Omar Abdullah-led government.DISGRUNTLED MLAs REFUSE TO BACK DOWNAhead of the meeting, 15 disgruntled NC MLAs and one Independent MLA held another closed-door meeting in Srinagar on Thursday evening to finalise their collective strategy. This was reportedly their fourth such meeting since the recent Cabinet reshuffle. Sources in the dissident camp said the legislators remained united and were unwilling to dilute their demands.They have maintained that their actions are aimed at addressing internal grievances and saving the party.The rebel MLAs have also alleged that they have faced continued humiliation and public disrespect from the Chief Minister and his close aides since the NC government came to power in October 2024.WHAT ARE THE MLAs DEMANDING?The group has stuck to three key demands:Reshuffle the entire Cabinet: The MLAs want Omar Abdullah to relieve all ministers of their portfolios and constitute a new Cabinet after proper consultations with the NC legislature party.Remove CM's adviser: They are demanding the removal of Nasir Aslam Wani from his position as adviser to the Chief Minister.Address legislators' grievances: They want an assurance that MLAs will be treated with respect and an internal party mechanism will be established to address their genuine concerns.The MLAs have indicated that they have been patient for long enough and are now seeking concrete action from the party leadership.NUMBER GAME PUTS OMAR GOVT UNDER PRESSUREThe rebellion has also brought the numbers in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly into focus.The ruling alliance currently has 54 MLAs, comprising 41 from the National Conference, six Congress legislators, six Independents and one CPM member. The majority mark stands at 46.The Opposition has 29 BJP MLAs, four from the PDP, one each from the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference and AAP, and one Independent.According to the scenario being discussed, if 20 disgruntled NC MLAs resign together and one Independent MLA withdraws support, the Assembly's effective strength would fall to 70, bringing the majority mark down to 36.In that situation, the ruling alliance's strength could fall to 33, comprising 21 NC MLAs, four Independents, six Congress MLAs and one CPM member — potentially putting the Omar Abdullah government below the majority mark.- Ends