Srinagar, Nov 2: National Conference rebel group is flying to Jammu to meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to put forth their demands in the wake of cabinet expansion.
Sources said the Chief Minister is also open to meeting the rebels and quelling this mini rebellion, which could turn into a bigger headache if not addressed.
The 18-member group met recently in Srinagar to discuss options after the cabinet expansion. The group is angry over the exclusion of some senior MLAs. Such is the resentment that National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah had to withdraw the order appointing Mubarak Gul as General Secretary.
Sources said the party tried to assuage the resentment by compensating Gul with a party post. However, Farooq later withdrew the order and handed over the baton back to Ali Mohammad Sagar, who was made power minister in the new expansion.
“Even if the entire National Conference joins hands with BJP, I will not do so,” said a senior MLA and rebel group member.
Sources said two senior leaders, who are close to Omar, called up the rebel group members personally to cool the tempers. However, they were rebuffed by the MLAs. The rebel group did not budge from their demands.
With Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah announcing to resign, NC has thrown bait to some rebel MLAs by offering them a ticket for the vacant seat. However, the rebel MLAs are not buying the idea. The group wants a clear roadmap to end cronyism and build bridges with the people by fulfilling the election promises.
Sources said the rebel group is consolidating in the party, as many are extending support without being explicitly coming in open. Sources said the strength of MLAs in the rebel group has reached 21.
“We were attending a dawat. Making a mountain out of a molehill is media creation. Yes, surely we discussed party issues. But it is not rebellion. As far as meeting Omar is concerned, we do it quite often. Meeting him again is not a big deal,” said another rebel party member.
National Conference has 41 MLAs in the 90-member Legislative Assembly. Congress, with six MLAs, and CPI(M), with one MLA, are supporting the Omar government from outside. Besides, some independents are also supporting the government from outside.
“There is no threat to the government or the party. It is just media creation,” said a National Conference leader.
Meanwhile, Channapora MLA Mushtaq Guroo put the speculations to rest about his joining the rebel group.
“I was invited by Qaisar Sahab (Qaisar Lone) for lunch. I am not with any group. I am a loyal soldier of the National Conference. I have full faith in the leadership of Omar and Farooq,” he said.
He said the National Conference remained his political family, and he has no intention of abandoning its leadership or ideology.