In the quiet corridors of Srinagar, a political tremor has begun to shake the foundations of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. Following a recent cabinet expansion, the ruling party—which holds 41 of the 90 seats in the legislative assembly—is grappling with a significant internal revolt. On October 31, 2026, the political landscape shifted when 24 legislators united to challenge the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This was not a public protest, but a deliberate, closed-door meeting held at the residence of Lolab Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, where the participants signaled that the current trajectory of the administration is no longer sustainable for those who have spent decades building the party’s legacy.
The mechanics of the dissent were as precise as they were bold. Of the 24 dissatisfied MLAs, 18 were present in person at the Srinagar residence, while another six joined the proceedings via video conference to ensure their voices were heard. This group, which claims to have the backing of over 25 legislators in total, has moved beyond mere grumbling. They have drafted a formal memorandum that outlines a vision for the government that stands in stark contrast to the current cabinet composition. For these members, the issue is not the party itself, but the way it is being governed.
Trouble In Paradise? 24 MLAs Raise Banner Of Revolt Against Omar Abdullah https://t.co/Ek4C7QGhb3 https://t.co/jW5wzViCPm
The dissenters have coalesced around four primary demands, each aimed at dismantling the current power structure within the administration. Central to their grievances is the demand for the removal of the Chief Minister’s advisor, Nasir Aslam Wani, and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary. The group argues that these figures, who have served for two years, should be replaced to allow for a fresh infusion of leadership. Beyond personnel changes, they are calling for a comprehensive restructuring of the Council of Ministers and a greater delegation of administrative powers to the legislators themselves, who feel increasingly sidelined in the current decision-making process.
Some claim to have served the National Conference for 30 years, giving their “blood and sweat” to the organization.
For many of these legislators, the frustration is deeply personal. Some claim to have served the National Conference for 30 years, giving their “blood and sweat” to the organization. One unnamed legislator captured the mood of the room, stating, “We are the National Conference... We will not allow the party to be hijacked by a few people or turned into a corporate entity.” This sentiment underscores a fear that the party is drifting away from its traditional identity. As the group emphasized, “We are not against the party, but it cannot be business as usual.”
At least 17 legislators from the ruling National Conference (NC) on October 30 held a four-hour meeting in Srinagar and issued a 15-day ultimatum to party president Farooq Abdullah and vice-president Omar Abdullah to address issues, including “unilateral decisions” and “coterie culture”. https://t.co/G2iRiUKee5
The rebellion is also rooted in a desire for policy accountability. The memorandum explicitly calls for the time-bound implementation of the party’s 2024 election manifesto, a document that served as the bedrock of their platform when they were elected on June 4, 2024. Furthermore, the group is demanding an intensified political struggle for the restoration of statehood and the reinstatement of Article 370. They view the current administration as having lost sight of these critical objectives, prioritizing internal management over the broader political goals that the party promised its constituents.
As the situation stands, the pressure on Omar Abdullah is mounting. The dissenters are clear that they want a direct audience with the Chief Minister to convey their demands, insisting that he must listen to those who have been the backbone of the organization. The Chief Minister, who previously chaired a meeting at Dachigam on June 3, 2024, now faces a much more fractured caucus. Whether this internal friction leads to a total restructuring of the government or a deepening of the divide remains to be seen, but the message from the 24 MLAs is clear: the status quo is no longer an option.
#WATCH | Srinagar | On J&K Cabinet expansion and rift in National Conference, BJP leader Altaf Thakur says, "Only loyalists to a single family and a single person, especially those orbiting around Omar Abdullah, got ministerial berths. The party loyalists who gave their blood for the party and stayed loyal to the organisation did not get a spot, and they never will in the National Conference. Because the National Conference is all about nepotism, and they always favour the same people... The National Conference is not just facing a rift; it has completely fallen apart... People voted for Omar Abdullah to work for them and to take everyone along, but he's a dictator, even more of a dictator than Genghis Khan... The downfall of the party started yesterday, and it will break apart and fall apart in 3 days. After November 3rd, you will see a new political atmosphere and a new political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir."