Farooq Abdullah says no rift within NC

In an attempt to quell rumors of internal strife within the National Conference (NC), party leadership held a meeting with a group of dissatisfied legislators on Friday. NC President Farooq Abdullah vehemently dismissed any claims of factions within the party, stating that it is united and will remain so, according to the source.

Fifteen NC MLAs, reportedly unhappy at not being included in the cabinet, attended the meeting at the Gupkar residence of the Abdullahs. Following the gathering, Abdullah, accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and all 15 legislators, addressed reporters and firmly declared the party's unity, saying, "Those who think they can stop this party - this party has never been broken, nor will it ever be broken, God willing."

The NC chief assured that the party would take both immediate and gradual steps to address the concerns of its members and strengthen the government. He also emphasized that the party would continue to fight for the restoration of statehood and the preservation of Article 370 and 35A.

One of the aggrieved legislators, Nazir Gurezi, explained that while legislators often approach the leadership with their issues, social media had misconstrued these concerns as evidence of a separate faction. Gurezi denied that any faction within the NC has emerged, adding that the issues were discussed with the party's top leaders, who have promised to address them accordingly.

The meeting occurred after reports of discontent among several senior NC leaders, including six-time MLA Mubarak Gul, following the recent cabinet expansion, which brought the council of ministers to its statutory limit of nine.