NC CWC for party strengthening, Budgam setback

Action likely against MP Ruhullah; MLAs pitch for cabinet expansion

Srinagar, Nov 27: On the first day of the National Conference’s two-day Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting, the issue of strengthening the party organisation dominated the discussions, even as other issues such as the electoral setback in Budgam and the rebellion by Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah Mehdi also figured in deliberations.

Sources said that the meeting was chaired by NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, all cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and senior leaders of the party.

During the meeting, Dr. Farooq Abdullah stressed the need to strengthen the party at all levels. “We should work for strengthening NC at every level -from the grassroots, to the districts, and up to the party headquarters,” Dr. Farooq was quoted by an NC legislator as saying during the meeting.

The NC president told party leaders that strengthening the organisation would also strengthen the government. “A strong party means a strong government,” he told the participants. He further directed the leadership to take all necessary measures and reforms to strengthen the organisation.

Chief Minister and NC vice president Omar Abdullah opened the floor for discussion, urging legislators to express their views and suggestions freely. Omar also intervened intermittently, explaining the challenges faced by the government in governance due to the dual power structure in the Union Territory.

The issue of the electoral debacle in Budgam as well as the rebellion of Aga Ruhullah also came up for discussion.

Some leaders maintained that the party should not tolerate indiscipline at any cost and that nobody is above the organisation. “The party should take a decision on him,” one MLA told the meeting.

The legislators reiterated the need to empower them and expand the cabinet to improve the government’s outreach. “We should fill the vacant cabinet slots to increase the government’s visibility,” one MLA suggested.

Sources said that the National Conference (NC) could pass some resolutions on statehood, Article 370, and the harassment of Kashmiris in other states on the second day of the session tomorrow.

“The party is also expected to take some action against MP Ruhullah Mehdi tomorrow,” they said.