In a move to address growing discontent among its lawmakers, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah has approved a proposal to constitute informal minister-wise advisory groups of party MLAs to strengthen coordination between the party and the Omar Abdullah-led government, party sources said.The NC chief has written to all party legislators, seeking their preferences for the ministerial departments they wish to be associated with, days after a meeting in Srinagar where several MLAs raised concerns over an alleged disconnect between the party leadership and the government.
Under the proposed arrangement, each MLA will be part of two advisory groups, allowing legislators to remain informed and involved in key administrative matters concerning different departments.
The party leadership has asked all NC MLAs to submit three preferences for ministerial sectors within two weeks. Two of these preferences will subsequently be allotted to each legislator, the sources said.
The move follows a November 6 meeting between Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and a group of party legislators who had expressed dissatisfaction following the recent expansion of the Council of Ministers.
The meeting was convened to address the concerns of the lawmakers and improve coordination between the party organisation and the government.
After the meeting, Farooq Abdullah had dismissed reports of divisions within the party as “baseless rumours”, asserting that the National Conference remained united and organised.
“These baseless rumours being spread that the National Conference is fractured into factions are completely false. This party is united and organised. And those who think they can stop this party, this party has never been broken, nor will it ever be broken, God willing,” he had told reporters in the presence of the Chief Minister and 15 legislators.
However, acknowledging the concerns raised by the MLAs, the NC president said their grievances were genuine and had been examined thoroughly.
“They were examined very thoroughly. Everyone was heard,” he had said, adding that some measures would be taken immediately while others would be introduced gradually to strengthen both the party and the government.
The proposed advisory groups are being seen as an effort to give party legislators a more formal channel to communicate their concerns, offer inputs on departmental functioning and remain engaged with government decisions.
The arrangement is expected to facilitate greater interaction between MLAs and ministers while addressing complaints about inadequate consultation and coordination within the party and the government.