Speculations about differences within NC entirely baseless: Showkat Mir.
Srinagar, 31 Oct(PTK): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir Saturday dismissed reports suggesting growing resentment and differences within the party following the recent Cabinet expansion, asserting that complete unity and cohesion prevail within the organisation.Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters, Showkat Mir said that the recent meeting of some National Conference legislators was a routine interaction which had been unnecessarily portrayed as an indication of rebellion or internal discord.He said that some party legislators had expressed their concerns following the Cabinet expansion, which was entirely within their democratic rights. “Several MLAs were personally contacted and invited to attend the meeting, where various aspects of the Cabinet expansion, including its advantages and disadvantages, were discussed. However, when the legislators came out, the matter was exaggerated, with different versions subsequently circulating on social media.” He clarified that no media representative was present during the meeting. Responding to questions about resentment among some legislators, he said that differences of opinion are a natural part of democratic functioning and do not in any way threaten the unity of the party.Drawing a parallel with family life, he said that differences can arise even within a family when one member is given preference over another, but that does not mean anyone would leave the family. Similarly, dissatisfaction expressed by an MLA does not imply that the legislator intends to leave the party or distance themselves from its leadership.He said that becoming a minister is an aspiration of every legislator, particularly those who have won elections consecutively three or four times and naturally have higher expectations. Showkat Mir said that CM Omar Abdullah had initially inducted only five ministers while forming the government, as there was an expectation that statehood would be restored at the earliest, allowing for the expansion of the Council of Ministers thereafter.Unfortunately, he said, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had not honoured their commitments, nor had due regard been given to the assurances made before the Supreme Court.
Clarifying the circumstances surrounding the reinstatement of senior party leader Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar as General Secretary, Showkat Mir said that immediately after the swearing-in of the Cabinet Ministers, party President Dr Farooq Abdullah had assigned the position of General Secretary to senior leader Haji Mubarak Gul. He said, “The ULB elections were announced in Ladakh, and the deadline for filing nomination papers was approaching. Since the signatures of the party’s General Secretary were mandatory on the nomination papers, Dr Farooq Abdullah directed Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar to immediately resume the responsibility to avoid any inconvenience to the party candidates.”He described the decision as an urgent organisational arrangement, necessitated by the limited time available. He added that Sagar had signed the relevant nomination papers today, which were subsequently dispatched to Kargil on the same day.It is pertinent to mention that the National Conference is contesting the elections in alliance with the Islamia School Ashariya Kargil.Senior leaders present during the press conference included Central Zone President Ali Mohammad Dar, Provincial Secretary Syed Tauqeer Ahmad, Provincial President Women’s Wing Er. Sabiya Qadri and Minority Cell Convener Jagdish Singh Azad.(PTK)
