Srinagar: As Omar Abdullah’s cabinet expansion has triggered protests by supporters of senior party leader and MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul, with demonstrators warning of an agitation after November 2 if the leadership fails to address their demand for his induction into the government, senior party leader and minister Sakina Itoo said that there was no dissent in the party but ‘just natural differences in a family.’
The supporters assembled at Srinagar’s Press Enclave Wednesday afternoon, expressing resentment over Gul’s exclusion from the Council of Ministers, questioning the party’s decision to leave out a leader who, they said, had remained loyal to the NC through difficult periods.
Describing Gul as the “pride of Eidgah”, the protesters said his longstanding association with the party and contribution to its political journey should have been recognized in the Cabinet expansion.
“Gul is our pride. He is honest and upright and has remained loyal to the party. He did not leave the National Conference even when Ghulam Mohammad Shah toppled Farooq Abdullah’s government in 1984,” the supporters said.
They maintained that his exclusion had disappointed the people of Eidgah, who expected the senior legislator to find a place in the cabinet.
The protest came a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his Cabinet by inducting four NC legislators, including Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah, and Altaf Ahmad Wani, while Gul was left out.
The discontent was also visible at the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subh Complex, where NC workers and Gul’s supporters protested against the decision and raised questions over the denial of a ministerial berth to the veteran leader. Reports said the protesters had given the party leadership two days to respond to their demand.
Gul, who has represented Eidgah in six Assembly elections, has also expressed disappointment over his repeated exclusion from successive cabinets.
Following Tuesday’s expansion, NC president Farooq Abdullah appointed him general secretary of the party organization.
The appointment, however, has not satisfied his supporters, who continue to demand his inclusion in the government.
The demand comes as the Council of Ministers has reached its maximum permissible strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister. Any further induction would require a change in the Cabinet’s composition.
Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) leader and Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Wednesday dismissed suggestions of internal rebellion within the party following yesterday’s Cabinet expansion, saying differences of opinion were natural in a family and should not be seen as a sign of disunity.
Reacting to questions about discontent among senior leaders, particularly Mubarak Gul and Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, over being left out of the expanded Council of Ministers, Itoo maintained that the party remained united despite differing views among its members.
She said party leaders and legislators had the democratic right to express their concerns, but such expressions should not automatically be interpreted as opposition to the party leadership.
Itoo added that NC members continued to work for the organization regardless of the positions or responsibilities assigned to them.
Her remarks come a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his Cabinet by inducting Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah, and Altaf Ahmad Wani as ministers.
The reshuffle triggered discontent among some senior party leaders who were not considered for ministerial positions.
Gul’s exclusion prompted his supporters to protest at the party headquarters in Srinagar, arguing that a leader who had devoted his life to the organization had been treated unfairly.
Larmi, too, publicly expressed disappointment over being overlooked despite his seniority and decades- long association with the party.
Gul was subsequently appointed general secretary of the National Conference.
Seeking to play down the significance of the developments, Itoo said a ministerial berth was not the only way for a leader to contribute to the party or serve the public.
The Cabinet expansion has taken the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister.
