Cracks widen in National Conference after cabinet expansion; all eyes on Aga Ruhullah's November 3 move

A political storm is brewing within the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) following the first cabinet expansion of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government. The selection of ministers has reportedly left several senior leaders and party workers unhappy, with the BJP claiming that internal dissent could threaten the stability of the government.

What was intended to strengthen Omar Abdullah's administration has instead brought simmering differences within the party into the open. Several veteran MLAs and their supporters have expressed resentment over the ministerial selections, alleging that long-standing party loyalists have been overlooked in favour of leaders considered close to the Abdullah family.

Among the names being discussed amid the discontent are seven-time MLA Mubarak Gul, Abdul Majid Larmi, Nazir Gurezi, Hilal Akbar Lone and Arjun Singh Raju. Supporters of some of these leaders have taken to the streets and social media to question the leadership's decisions, accusing the party high command of favouring its preferred candidates over those who have worked for the organisation for decades.

BJP Claims 16-17 NC MLAs Are Unhappy

The BJP has seized on the reported resentment within the ruling party, claiming that the discontent extends well beyond a few disgruntled leaders.

Altaf Thakur, BJP's chief spokesperson in Jammu and Kashmir, claimed that 16 to 17 National Conference MLAs were unhappy with the cabinet expansion. He alleged that the party leadership had repeatedly favoured those close to the Abdullah family while ignoring veteran workers.

“The National Conference's policy has always been that only those who roam around the Abdullah family get positions,” Thakur said.

“Party loyalists who gave blood and sweat for 30-40 years were completely ignored. This favouritism is now out in the open,” he added.

Thakur also claimed that Aga Ruhullah, the National Conference MP from Srinagar, would resign from both the party and his parliamentary seat on November 3.

“That day will bring a very big storm in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir,” he warned. “Not just Aga Ruhullah, others will bid farewell too.”

The BJP has also raised the issue of regional representation, arguing that Jammu has been left without meaningful representation after the lone minister from the plains was dropped. It has further claimed that districts such as Pulwama, Bandipora and Shopian continue to feel neglected.

NC Leaders Dismiss Reports of Rift

The National Conference leadership, meanwhile, has sought to play down reports of a widening internal rift, insisting that the party remains united despite the discontent surrounding the cabinet expansion.

Newly inducted Forest Minister Altaf Ahmad Kalu dismissed suggestions of a serious crisis, describing the reports as an exaggeration of routine political differences.

“As far as the rift is concerned, the party is strong. Slogans sometimes get raised here and there, and that happens. From this, it doesn't mean that you will blow it out of proportion. There is resentment, there is no resentment, we are all united,” Kalu said.

He added that he intended to visit constituencies across Jammu and Kashmir and meet leaders who had reportedly expressed dissatisfaction.

“As I said before too, you will see ahead, we will all, Inshallah Rahman, move forward together. I will go to Larmi sahib, will go to Nazir sahib's place as well, to Bashir sahib. I will go to all constituencies, whether it is in Srinagar, Kupwara, Bandipora, Budgam, Ganderbal, Chrar-i-Sharief, Eidgah, this Pancha range, Jammu; I have to go to everyone,” he said.

Salman Sagar Blames Opposition for Fueling Discontent

National Conference MLA from Hazratbal Salman Sagar, son of senior party leader and cabinet minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, also dismissed suggestions that the party was heading towards a major split.

He alleged that the opposition was using sections of the local media to magnify differences within the National Conference and weaken the party. He maintained that the leadership would address the grievances of those who felt overlooked.

“We are a family. Some people were not taken a year or two ago, they were taken today. Maybe tomorrow the Chief Minister feels the need to replace someone again. This is an ongoing process,” he said.

“Attempts are made to provoke and weaken the National Conference, but none of them will work. In a family people get angry, but that does not mean they will deceive the party,” Salman Sagar added.

He said party leaders had every right to raise their concerns with the leadership and expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved.

“They have every right to put their grievances before the leadership, and the leadership will resolve them,” he said.

Silence of Disgruntled Veterans Keeps Speculation Alive

Despite assurances from the party leadership, questions remain over the extent of the resentment among senior National Conference leaders.

Veteran legislators, including seven-time MLA Mubarak Gul, Abdul Majid Larmi, Nazir Gurezi and Hilal Lone, have largely stayed away from public comment on the controversy. Their supporters, however, have continued to protest against the cabinet selections, keeping pressure on the party high command.

The absence of public statements from the aggrieved leaders has added to speculation about the next course of action, particularly as November 3 approaches.

November 3 Could Prove Crucial for NC

Aga Ruhullah's reported plans to resign have emerged as a key point of uncertainty for the National Conference. The BJP has portrayed the date as a potential turning point for the party and the Omar Abdullah-led government, claiming that other dissatisfied leaders could follow suit.

If Ruhullah does leave the party and is joined by even a handful of disgruntled MLAs, the National Conference could face one of its most serious internal challenges since returning to power.

For now, the party leadership is projecting unity and promising to address grievances, while the BJP continues to highlight the reported divisions.

Whether the discontent remains confined to protests and internal disagreements or develops into a wider political rupture may become clearer in the coming days. The November 3 developments could therefore prove significant not only for the National Conference but also for the wider political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.