Srinagar, Nov 06 (KNS): Around 15 National Conference legislators are scheduled to meet party president Farooq Abdullah and Vice-President and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday, amid reports of growing discontent within the ruling party following the recent Cabinet expansion.
The meeting, scheduled for 10 am at the Chief Minister's residence, will be the first interaction between the group of legislators and the party's top leadership since the Cabinet reshuffle, a legislator associated with the group told KNS on condition of anonymity.
The delegation will be led by Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, who has been convening the group, the legislator said.
The meeting follows a five-hour deliberation held at the residence of senior NC leader and former MP Hasnain Masoodi on Thursday, where the legislators discussed issues outlined in a memorandum already submitted to the party leadership.
According to the legislator, the primary concern is strengthening the party organisation at the grassroots level and ensuring that elected representatives have greater authority to address public grievances.
"When an MLA is empowered, the people he represents are also empowered.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelOur focus is on how we can collectively strengthen the party at the grassroots level," he said.
The legislators are also expected to discuss public welfare and the implementation of promises made to voters during the Assembly elections.
"People have voted for us with expectations. We need to discuss how their welfare and the promises made to them can be ensured," he added.
The meeting assumes significance as the Cabinet expansion has reportedly exposed differences within the National Conference, with several legislators said to be unhappy over the selection of ministers and the manner in which the exercise was carried out.
The expansion saw the induction of four new ministers — Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamima Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo — into the Omar Abdullah-led government. Independent MLA Satish Sharma was dropped from the Council of Ministers.
The reshuffle had triggered speculation about discontent among sections of the party's legislators, with concerns reportedly extending beyond ministerial representation to issues of seniority and the functioning of the party organisation. (KNS)
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