More trouble for Omar Abdullah? 10-15 disgruntled MLAs hold secret meet

The crisis within Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference deepened after six-time MLA Mubarak Gul became the latest leader to express his disappointment over being denied a ministerial post. Separately, around 10-15 disgruntled NC MLAs held a round of discussions in Srinagar on Tuesday evening amid unease over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's controversial reshuffle and expansion of his council of ministers.

The developments come as a jolt to the National Conference, which was dealt a fresh blow after Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah quit the party on Tuesday. Ruhullah claimed the NC abandoned its electoral promises on the restoration of Article 370 and the protection of J&K's constitutional rights.

Ruhullah's exit comes amidst a broader crisis for the NC over the cabinet expansion on October 27. On Tuesday, 10-15 MLAs held a meeting to deliberate on their future course of action.

The disgruntled MLAs have sought the replacement of all eight Cabinet ministers, including the deputy chief minister, within 15 days. They have also demanded the removal of Omar's adviser Nasir Aslam Wani. The MLAs have alleged that Wani wields excessive influence over the Chief Minister. The discontent could threaten the stability of the two-year-old Omar Abdullah government (PTI) 

On Tuesday, Mubarak Gul, Eidgah MLA, created a flutter after he called a press conference at his residence on November 4. His supporters have been staging protests in Srinagar against Omar since the Cabinet reshuffle. It seemed Gul would announce his resignation or the next course of action.

However, on Wednesday, Gul deferred his press conference, saying he would speak at an appropriate time. Gul, who also served as the J&K Speaker, had earlier expressed disappointment over not being given a ministerial post despite his long association with the party.

The fast-paced developments have added to the uncertainty surrounding the Omar government.CAN THE 'REBEL' MLAs BRING DOWN OMAR GOVT?

The immediate question is whether the growing discontent within the National Conference could threaten the stability of the Omar Abdullah government.

The strength of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is 90. The majority mark is 46.

Presently, the ruling NC alliance has 54 members, comprising 41 NC MLAs, six Congress MLAs, six Independents and one CPM MLA. The Opposition has 36 MLAs, including 29 of the BJP, four of the PDP, one each from J&K People's Conference and AAP and one Independent.

Thus, the NC has a comfortable majority. However, in case of a rebellion, it can become challenging for the NC.

If 20 disgruntled NC MLAs resign, the effective strength of the Assembly will fall to 70. The majority mark will then come down to 36.

In this situation, the NC's strength will be reduced to 21. The ruling alliance will then have 34 MLAs - two short of the majority mark.

This will put the Omar Abdullah government in a precarious position.

However, it is pertinent to note that this remains a hypothetical scenario. There is no confirmation that the disgruntled MLAs are planning to resign en masse.- Ends

Sunil Ji Bhat currently heads the Jammu Bureau of India Today Group and reports for both India Today TV and Aaj Tak.

From covering terror attacks and Pakistani shelling at the Line of Control (LoC) and international border (IB) to reporting from anti-terrorist operations' sites, Sunil's ground reportage has been the best and unmatched. In his special reports from Jammu, Sunil has also brought to the fore the plight of Valmiki Samaj, West Pakistan refugees, Gorkha community, displaced communities from Pakistan Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) and displaced Kashmiri Pandits. He has also highlighted the narrative of Jammu which is very different from Kashmir narrative. Sunil has filed many heart wrenching stories on terror victims and given voice to the voiceless. He is also a knowledge powerhouse when it comes to ancient, political, cultural history of Jammu & Kashmir.

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