Says legislators’ meeting was a routine get-together; terms claims of 17 MLAs joining hands “false and fabricated”
Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Oct 31 :
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Kashmir Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir on Saturday dismissed reports of growing dissent within the party following the recent cabinet expansion.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mir, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the meeting of some NC legislators was a routine get-together ahead of the Darbar Move and had been unnecessarily projected as a sign of rebellion.
He said some party members had expressed concerns following the cabinet expansion, which was their democratic right, adding that there was no restriction on expressing opinions within the party.
Mir said several MLAs had received phone calls inviting them to the get-together, where they discussed various issues, including the advantages and disadvantages of the cabinet expansion.
“There was no media presence inside the meeting. However, when the legislators came out, the matter was blown out of proportion, with some claiming that 17 members were involved,” he said.
On dissatisfaction among some legislators, Mir said differences were natural and did not indicate any threat to the party’s unity or leadership.
“Even within a family, differences arise when one member is given preference over another. But that does not mean anyone will abandon the family. Similarly, disappointment does not mean legislators will leave the party or its leadership,” he said.
Mir further asserted that attempts to create divisions within the National Conference would fail, adding that differences of opinion would not affect the party’s unity.—(KNO)