Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 3: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called an “important” meeting of MLAs from the ruling alliance on Friday morning, scheduled for 11:00 AM at the Deputy Chief Minister’s Fairview residence. The meeting, convened amid simmering anger against leaders of the National Conference (NC) against ignoring the duly elected government. The meeting notice, issued by NC’s Chief Whip Mubarak Gul urged all NC MLAs to attend this pivotal gathering. While the official agenda remains undisclosed, highly placed sources indicate that the Chief Minister intends to seek suggestions from coalition partners to devise a unified strategy moving forward. The invitation extends beyond the NC to include all six Congress MLAs, four Independent MLAs, the CPI(M) MLA, and the Aam Aadmi Party MLA, reflecting the broad coalition base supporting the government. Reports of growing resentment within the NC over the perceived sidelining of the elected government in key decision-making processes heighten the significance of this meeting. Sources within the party suggest that this discontent has reached a boiling point, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to call for a collective dialogue. The elected government, according to insiders, is particularly upset over recent developments, though specifics remain under wraps. Congress, a key ally in the coalition, is expected to play a vocal role in the discussions. Highly placed sources within the party revealed that its MLAs are likely to urge the Chief Minister to adopt a tougher stance against any attempts to undermine the authority of the elected government. This sentiment underscores the coalition’s broader concerns about maintaining its influence and ensuring its voices are heard in governance matters. The meeting comes at a critical juncture for the ruling alliance, which comprises a diverse group of political entities. With the NC at the helm, supported by Congress, Independents, CPI(M), and AAP, the coalition has navigated a complex political landscape since coming to power. As the clock ticks toward 11:00 AM tomorrow, all eyes will be on the Fairview residence, where the outcome of this meeting could shape the trajectory of Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape in the days ahead. The stakes are high, and the decisions made behind closed doors may well determine the coalition’s ability to present a united front amid mounting challenges. |