Srinagar, Oct 27 (KNO): Drama and disappointment surrounded the ruling National Conference on Tuesday as party workers protested at its headquarters here in support of senior party leader Mubarak Ahmad Gul following his exclusion from the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet.
The workers gave the party leadership two days to address their demand for Gul’s induction as a minister.
The supporters raised slogans at Nawa-i-Subh Complex, questioning the party high command’s decision to leave out the six-time MLA from the Cabinet despite inducting four other legislators into the Omar Abdullah-led government.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the workers expressed anger over Gul’s exclusion, with many saying they would seek his resignation from the party post if the leadership failed to address their concerns.
“Aga Ruhullah’s decision is right, and we will also seek Mubarak Gul’s resignation,” a party worker said during the protest, reflecting the growing discontent over the Cabinet decision.
The workers said Gul’s political experience and long association with the party deserved recognition.
One supporter said Omar Abdullah was not as old as Gul’s political experience.
‘Farooq Abdullah has assured me’: Gul
Later in the evening, Gul urged the workers to give him some time, saying discussions with the party leadership were underway.
Addressing the workers, he was seen in a video saying that he had spoken individually to National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and received a special assurance from him. The MLA added that he would share the details with the supporters at an appropriate time.
“I have spoken to Farooq Sahib one-to-one. He has given me a special assurance. When the document comes, I will share it with you,” he said.
The supporters, meanwhile, remained firm in their demand, saying they would give the National Conference leadership two days to respond. Emotional scenes and sloganeering continued as workers voiced their disappointment over Gul being denied a ministerial berth.
Party appoints Gul general secretary
Earlier in the day, following the Cabinet expansion, the National Conference leadership appointed Mubarak Gul as the party’s general secretary, succeeding Ali Mohammad Sagar, who was inducted into the Council of Ministers.
In a special gesture, Dr Abdullah formally seated Gul in the general secretary’s chair at the party headquarters. Photographs shared by the party showed Gul being welcomed and felicitated with garlands by party leaders and workers.
Later, a meeting of party leaders and functionaries was held under Dr Farooq Abdullah’s chairmanship to discuss organisational matters, the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the party’s future course.
Addressing the gathering, the NC chief reiterated the party’s commitment to democracy, people’s rights, the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A, full statehood and the protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s distinct cultural identity. He expressed confidence that the newly inducted ministers would work for public welfare and development across sectors.
Gul thanked the leadership for entrusting him with the responsibility of general secretary and said he would work to strengthen the organisation.
However, the appointment failed to quell the anger among some of his supporters, who continued to insist that the veteran leader deserved a place in the Cabinet.
‘Dropped then, dropped today too’
Earlier in the day, four legislators, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, were sworn in as ministers at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administering the oath of office and secrecy.
Gul had expressed disappointment over his continued exclusion, telling reporters that he had attended nearly 30 oath-taking ceremonies without being inducted as a minister. “I have attended 30 oath-taking ceremonies till now. Every time I was dropped, and today as well, I am being dropped,” he said.
Gul has represented Eidgah in the Legislative Assembly six times—in 1983, 1996, 2002, 2008, 2014 and 2024—(KNO)