‘This organisation is united’: Farooq Abdullah dismisses reports of rift in National Conference after meeting MLAs

Farooq Abdullah said the party remained united, termed reports suggesting a split within the National Conference baseless National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed reports of divisions within the party after meeting several MLAs in Srinagar, amid alleged discontent among legislators over the cabinet expansion carried out by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in October.National Conference (JKNC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday dismissed reports of divisions within the party (PTI)Speaking to reporters after the meeting, which was also attended by Omar Abdullah, Farooq said the party remained united, termed reports suggesting a split within the National Conference baseless and assured that the concerns raised by party legislators would be addressed.“The baseless reports being spread that the National Conference is divided are completely false. This organisation is united, and those who think they can break this organisation should understand that it has never been broken and will never be broken. We have spoken to them. Their issues were genuine and have been given due consideration,” he said, according to ANI.He further said the party leadership had heard everyone's concerns and would take steps to resolve them, adding that efforts would be made to strengthen both the party and the government.“Everyone was heard, and some steps will be taken soon, while others will be taken gradually. We will strengthen the party and the government so that people's difficulties can be addressed. Alongside this, our fight for the restoration of Statehood, as well as our fight for Articles 370 and 35A, will continue, and it will be taken to its final conclusion,” Abdullah added.Unhappy over the recent cabinet expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, 18 NC legislators reportedly held a closed-door meeting on Thursday to voice their concerns over the exclusion of senior members and the lack of regional balance, HT had reported earlier.This coincided with Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi's resignation from both Parliament and the party. Mehdi had earlier accused the party of failing to act on its commitments concerning the restoration of Article 370, the release of prisoners and the protection of people's rights.NC MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan also dismissed speculation about the emergence of a separate faction within the party, saying that the legislators had only raised their concerns with the party leadership.“Every time, we approach our party leadership with our issues. A few days ago, we were sitting together at one place, and the media projected it as though a separate party had emerged from the National Conference. No new party was formed. We had certain issues which we raised before our Chief Minister and Farooq Sahib, and they have assured us that these issues will be addressed,” Khan told reporters, according to ANI.He added that the leadership had assured the legislators that their concerns, including political and other matters, would be addressed in phases.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More