Beyond Cabinet Reshuffle, NC Legislators Push for Statehood, Art 370 Restoration

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Srinagar- Legislators of the National Conference (NC), who are up in arms against the party leadership over Tuesday’s cabinet reshuffle-cum-expansion, have prepared a memorandum listing a set of demands, including a cabinet reshuffle, intensified efforts for the restoration of statehood and Article 370, and the time-bound implementation of the party’s 2024 election manifesto.

Quoting sources, news agency KNO reported that the memorandum was sent to the residences of the party’s top brass. However, the NC is yet to confirm receipt of the memorandum.

The memorandum was drafted during the meeting of 18 MLAs at the residence of NC MLA Lolab Qaiser Jamsheed Lone on Friday afternoon.

According to sources, the legislators have called for the time-bound implementation of the party’s election manifesto.

The memorandum also seeks an intensified political struggle for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and Article 370.

The legislators have further sought the removal of advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and ministers who have completed two years in office.

According to sources, the party legislators have also demanded a comprehensive restructuring of the Cabinet and implementation of consensus reached at Dachigam.

At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on June 3 at Dachigam, party legislators had questioned the functioning of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and ministers Javid Rana and Satish Sharma. While Satish Sharma was dropped in the recent cabinet reshuffle, Javid Rana’s role was curtailed after several key portfolios were taken away from him. However, the Deputy Chief Minister retained the Roads & Buildings Department & Industries and Commerce Department.

A legislator, who is part of the group, claimed that they have the support of more than 25 legislators and that their only intention is to reform the National Conference.

“We are the National Conference, and we have given our blood and sweat to the party for the past 30 years. We will not allow the party to be hijacked by a few people or turned into a corporate entity,” he said.

Another legislator alleged that the minister who faced severe criticism during the Dachigam meeting managed to retain the key portfolios.

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