National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has dismissed reports of divisions within the party, asserting that the organisation remains united despite concerns raised by a section of its legislators. His remarks came after a meeting with several party MLAs at his residence on Gupkar Road in Srinagar on November 6, 2026.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also attended the meeting, which was organised to discuss grievances raised by legislators following the recent expansion of the Union Territory's council of ministers.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Farooq Abdullah described reports of a possible split within the National Conference as baseless. He said the party leadership had listened carefully to the legislators and acknowledged that their concerns were genuine.
The NC president assured the MLAs that the leadership would take steps to address their issues. He indicated that some matters would be resolved quickly, while others would require more time and would be handled gradually.
The meeting was seen as an effort by the party leadership to ease internal dissatisfaction and present a united position amid growing speculation about differences within the ruling organisation.
Cabinet Expansion Triggers Discontent Among Party MLAs
The meeting took place against the backdrop of dissatisfaction among several National Conference legislators following the cabinet expansion carried out by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on October 27.
During the expansion, four new ministers were inducted into the Jammu and Kashmir council of ministers. With these appointments, the council reached its maximum permissible strength of nine ministers, including the Chief Minister.
The decision reportedly disappointed some senior legislators who had expected to be considered for ministerial positions. Several MLAs raised concerns about their exclusion and questioned aspects of the selection process.
Some legislators also expressed dissatisfaction over organisational and administrative matters. Their concerns reportedly included the distribution of responsibilities, regional representation and the functioning of the party and government.
The discontent became more visible after a group of legislators held discussions among themselves in Srinagar. Reports about these meetings led to speculation that a separate faction could emerge within the National Conference.
The party leadership's November 6 meeting was therefore important in addressing the concerns and preventing disagreements from developing into a larger organisational problem.
Around 15 MLAs Attend Meeting With Farooq and Omar Abdullah
Around 15 National Conference MLAs reached the Gupkar residence of the Abdullah family for the meeting with Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The legislators discussed their political, organisational and administrative concerns with the senior leadership. The meeting provided an opportunity for the party's elected representatives to explain their grievances directly to the president and the Chief Minister.
After the discussions, Farooq Abdullah appeared before the media alongside Omar Abdullah and the legislators. Their joint appearance was viewed as an effort to counter speculation about a serious division within the party.
Farooq Abdullah said that every legislator had been heard and that their problems had received proper consideration. He also emphasised that the party remained organised and united.
The National Conference president said the leadership would work to strengthen both the party and the government. He indicated that the process of addressing the concerns would take place in stages, depending on the nature of each issue.
The meeting did not indicate the formation of a separate political group. Instead, the legislators said they had approached the leadership to raise matters that required attention.
Nazir Gurezi Rejects Speculation About a Separate Faction
National Conference MLA Nazir Gurezi also dismissed reports suggesting that dissatisfied legislators were preparing to form a separate faction within the party.
Speaking after the meeting, Gurezi said that party legislators regularly approached the leadership to discuss their concerns. He argued that earlier discussions among MLAs had been exaggerated on social media and portrayed as evidence of a possible split.
According to Gurezi, the legislators had raised certain issues with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and party president Farooq Abdullah. The leadership had assured them that the concerns would be addressed.
He said some matters would be taken up immediately, while others would require a gradual approach. Gurezi also maintained that no separate party or faction had been formed.
His remarks supported Farooq Abdullah's position that the differences were internal matters that could be addressed through discussions within the organisation.
Farooq Abdullah Reaffirms Party's Political Commitments
Apart from addressing the grievances of party legislators, Farooq Abdullah also reiterated the National Conference's commitment to several important political issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the party would continue its demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He also reaffirmed its position on Articles 370 and 35A, which have remained central to the National Conference's political agenda following the constitutional changes introduced in August 2019.
Abdullah said the party would continue raising these issues through its political activities. He also spoke about the need to address the difficulties faced by ordinary people in the Union Territory.
The National Conference has repeatedly maintained that the restoration of statehood is an important political priority. The party has also continued to raise concerns about the political and constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.
By referring to these commitments after the meeting, Farooq Abdullah sought to underline that the party's broader political objectives remained unchanged despite internal discussions over the cabinet expansion.
Internal Differences Emerge Amid Wider Political Challenges
The latest disagreement within the National Conference comes at a time when the party is dealing with several political and organisational challenges.
The cabinet expansion brought dissatisfaction among some senior legislators who felt that their experience and political contributions had not received sufficient recognition. The concerns also reflected questions about representation and the distribution of responsibilities within the government.
The reported resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi from the party and Parliament has added to the wider discussion about internal differences within the National Conference. His criticism of the party's approach to important political commitments has also attracted attention.
However, the grievances raised by the MLAs over the cabinet expansion and the issues associated with other party leaders are separate matters. They should not automatically be treated as evidence that the organisation has split into different political groups.
The November 6 meeting was an attempt by the senior leadership to address these concerns through direct discussions and assurances.
What the Meeting Means for the National Conference
Farooq Abdullah's statement that the National Conference remains united is intended to counter speculation about a possible organisational split. The presence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the legislators at the media interaction also provided a public indication that discussions had taken place.
However, the concerns raised by the legislators show that internal dissatisfaction remains an issue the leadership needs to address. Assurances alone may not resolve every concern, particularly those relating to ministerial representation, administrative responsibilities and organisational functioning.
The leadership has indicated that some issues will be addressed immediately, while others will be considered over time. The effectiveness of this approach will depend on the steps taken in the coming weeks and the response of the legislators.
For now, the National Conference leadership has rejected the possibility of a split and maintained that the party remains united. The meeting has provided an opportunity to discuss grievances, but the longer-term impact will depend on how successfully the leadership addresses the concerns raised by its MLAs.
The developments highlight the challenges facing the ruling party as it seeks to maintain internal coordination while managing the government and its political commitments in Jammu and Kashmir.
