NC’s two-day Central Working Committee meeting begins in Srinagar; rebel MP ‘not invited’

The ruling National Conference (NC) on Thursday started a two-day Central Working Committee (CWC) in Srinagar to “assess the party and the government functioning”. However, the party decided not to invite rebel Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Syed Ruhullah.

The two-day meeting was held at the party headquarters, Nawa-i-Subh, in Srinagar with party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah chairing it. J&K Chief Minister and party vice-president Omar Abdullah also attended the meeting along with his legislators and Ministers.

The NC is likely to pass a joint resolution after the two-day conference on Friday. Several NC leaders said the issues of the party and the problems faced by people in constituencies were discussed. Around 20 NC leaders on Day 1 of the meeting to highlight the issues faced by the party.

“The committee met to review party functioning, responsibilities of office-bearers and strengthen organisational systems,” senior NC leader and Minister Sakina Ittoo said.

NC leader Nasir Aslam Wani, also adviser to the Chief MInister, said the ongoing discussions will continue on Friday too. “Thereafter, resolutions will be drafted after the completion of the session. Once the decisions are finalized, all details will be shared,” Mr. Wani said.

Srinagar MP Ruhullah was conspicuous by his absence in the meeting. The NC leader, a prominent Shia cleric with growing popularity, of late has been critical of the Omar Abdullah government. The differences between Mr. Abdullah and Mr. Ruhullah grew further during the Budgam elections in October, when the latter decided against campaigning for the party in spite of being his hometown. The party faced defeat in the by-elections in Budgam this month. 

Meanwhile, MP Ruhullah toured Ganderbal district, and expressed surprise over the party’s move not to invite him for the meeting. “If the working committee meeting is going on, I have been a permanent member since 2002. This is the first time I have not been invited,” MP Ruhullah said.

He reiterated his position that the NC promised “to fight for the return of protections taken through Article 370” in the 2024 elections but failed to deliver after getting the massive mandate from the people. 

NC leader Wani confirmed that MP Ruhullah was “not invited to the meeting”, without elaborating further on the reasons behind the move.