Overview
- A closed-door meeting at MLA Qaiser Jamsheed Lone’s residence on Oct. 30 produced a resolution from about 18 legislators who then presented a memorandum to party president Farooq Abdullah seeking wide consultation on ministerial appointments.
- Dissident MLAs have issued a 14-day ultimatum demanding removal or replacement of ministers, a transparent mechanism for portfolios and the removal of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s adviser Nasir Aslam Wani.
- Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has publicly said he will resign from the National Conference and his Lok Sabha seat on Nov. 3, citing betrayal of 2024 manifesto promises including a stronger push on restoring Article 370.
- NC leaders and several MLAs have described the gathering as internal democracy and denied any rebellion, even as reports vary on the size of the dissident group (reported between about 17–25 MLAs) and the opposition predicts a split.
- The dispute matters because the NC holds about 41 seats in a 90-member assembly, the UT limits the council of ministers to eight posts, and coordinated withdrawals or resignations could force by-elections or urgent talks that reshape Jammu and Kashmir politics.