NC INITIATES FORMATION OF MINISTER-WISE ADVISORY GROUPS; FAROOQ ABDULLAH SEEKS MLA PREFERENCES WITHIN TWO WEEKS

Srinagar: In an important political development in Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) has initiated the process of constituting informal advisory groups of party legislators to be attached to individual ministers in the Omar Abdullah-led government.

NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah has written to all party legislators, asking them to submit their preferences for ministers with whom they wish to be associated as part of the proposed advisory arrangement.

According to the communication, the decision to establish minister-wise advisory groups was taken during a meeting between the NC leadership and party legislators who had expressed dissatisfaction over certain organisational and governmental issues. The meeting was held on November 6 at the residence of Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Under the proposed arrangement, the advisory groups will serve as a communication bridge between party legislators and the government. Ministers will be expected to hold regular meetings with their respective groups and brief members about important policy initiatives, departmental functioning and progress on ongoing government programmes.

The communication further states that each legislator will be eligible to become a member of up to two advisory groups.

To facilitate the constitution of these groups, MLAs have been asked to submit the names of three ministers in writing, in order of preference. The party leadership will subsequently prepare and notify the lists after receiving the preferences from all legislators.

The exercise has been directed to be completed within two weeks.

MOVE AIMED AT ADDRESSING INTERNAL DISCONTENT

The political initiative comes against the backdrop of dissatisfaction expressed by a section of National Conference legislators following the recent expansion of the Council of Ministers, during which some senior party leaders were reportedly left out of ministerial positions.

Around 24 ruling party legislators were reported to have raised concerns over the distribution of ministerial responsibilities, coordination between the party and the government, and their participation in the decision-making process.

The aggrieved legislators had held several rounds of discussions before meeting the party leadership on November 6, where they reportedly placed their grievances and suggestions before the senior leadership.

The party leadership subsequently assured the legislators that their concerns would be examined and addressed in a phased manner.

The proposed advisory groups are being viewed as an attempt to provide party legislators with a consultative platform and improve coordination between elected representatives and ministers.

QUESTIONS OVER WIDER DEMANDS

While the formation of advisory groups marks a step towards addressing the concerns raised by dissatisfied legislators, several other issues reportedly raised during discussions remain significant.

These include demands relating to ministerial responsibilities, the functioning of the government, greater involvement of MLAs in governance and the role of political functionaries.

The demand concerning Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani has reportedly not been accepted by the leadership, while a change concerning the Public Works Department portfolio held by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has reportedly been agreed upon.

However, the proposed advisory groups are informal in nature. Their specific powers, decision-making authority and administrative responsibilities have not been detailed in the communication.

The coming weeks will indicate whether the proposed arrangement succeeds in addressing the concerns within the ruling party and strengthening coordination between the National Conference organisation and the Omar Abdullah-led government.(KNC)