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Both the National Conference and the BJP have rejected these claims
Mehraj Malik is the lone AAP MLA in J&K, who won from the Doda constituency by defeating BJP and NC candidates. File pic/PTI
In a major political development that has created a stir in Jammu and Kashmir politics, AAP MLA from Doda and the party’s J&K unit chief Mehraj Malik has claimed that “Operation Lotus” is underway in the Union Territory.
Mehraj Malik posted on X on Friday that a new government is being formed in Jammu and Kashmir with the support of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and senior National Conference leader Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi will be the next Chief Minister in the coming days.
His post has come at a time when the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government is already facing a serious internal rebellion, with 19 of its own MLAs holding a secret meeting in Srinagar.
The post by Mehraj Malik has gone viral and has triggered intense political speculation and reactions from all political parties.
Mehraj Malik Justifies His Post to News18
Speaking exclusively with News18, Mehraj Malik said what he posted was completely correct and based on facts.
“My information is correct. What I have posted is true. The meeting of rebel MLAs was held at the residence of MLA Kaiser Lone and it was chaired by Nazir Ahmad Gurez. That meeting was held for him only. They are projecting him as the next Chief Minister,” Mehraj Malik told News18.
At A Glance
AAP MLA Mehraj Malik claimed that Operation Lotus is underway in Jammu and Kashmir to form a new government.
Nineteen rebel National Conference MLAs held a secret meeting in Srinagar amid anger with the Omar Abdullah government.
The National Conference holds 42 seats in the 90-member Assembly and maintains a majority with external support.
Political experts note that a split requires two-thirds of the party’s MLAs to avoid strict anti-defection law disqualification.
When asked about the basis of his claim, the Aam Aadmi Party leader asked why 19 MLAs would need to hold a separate meeting just three days after they met the Chief Minister.
“If everything was fine, why did 19 MLAs hold a meeting after 3 days of meeting the CM? It clearly shows there is anger. The government is not listening to them,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with Maharashtra politics, Mehraj Malik said what happened in Maharashtra can be repeated in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Like Maharashtra, BJP can play the same game here in J&K also. The Eknath Shinde model can be repeated here. BJP is already claiming that the government will fall. In the next few days, a big political storm may happen in J&K. You will see a new government,” he added.
The Backdrop: 19 Rebel NC MLAs Hold Secret Meeting
To understand Mehraj Malik’s claim, it is important to understand the backdrop of internal rebellion within the ruling National Conference.
On Thursday, 19 rebel MLAs of the National Conference held a secret meeting at the Srinagar residence of MLA Kaiser Lone. The meeting lasted for several hours and was reportedly chaired by senior leader Nazir Ahmad Gurezi.
According to sources, the rebel MLAs are angry with the working style of the Omar Abdullah government and have put forward several demands.
Their first and main demand is implementation of the Dacchigam Declaration. The Dacchigam Declaration was the manifesto of the National Conference before the Assembly elections. It included promises like restoration of Article 370, restoration of full statehood, 1 lakh jobs for youth, free electricity, and other public issues. The rebel MLAs allege that the government has not implemented the declaration even after one year.
Their second demand is the removal of non-performing ministers and advisors. They have demanded the removal of Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Kashmir Province President Showkat Mir and spokesperson Shammi Oberoi.
Their third demand is about discrimination in development funds. Three MLAs from Pir Panjal region – Aijaz Jan from Poonch Haveli, Javid Iqbal Choudhary from Budhal and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan from Thanamandi – have alleged that Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary is diverting maximum funds to his own constituency, Nowshera and ignoring the Pir Panjal region. Surinder Choudhary also belongs to Pir Panjal but represents Nowshera in Rajouri district.
The rebels also allege that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is not giving time to his own party MLAs and is surrounded by bureaucrats and a few advisors.
NC Downplays Rebellion
Meanwhile, the National Conference has officially downplayed the rebellion and the secret meeting of its MLAs.
Senior NC leader and MLA Salman Sagar, while speaking to News18, said there is nothing wrong with the meeting.
“National Conference is a democratic party. Our MLAs have spoken within the party forum. They have raised some issues, which is their democratic right. There is nothing wrong in it. It is not possible to satisfy everyone, but those who have grievances, their anger will be removed. We will resolve it internally,” the senior leader said.
Salman Sagar also took a dig at BJP and said the party only makes promises and does not deliver on the ground.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has not officially reacted to the rebellion or to Mehraj Malik’s post. However, sources close to the CM said the party will resolve the issues internally, and there is no threat to the government.
The National Conference has 42 MLAs of its own in the 90-member Assembly. It is supported by Congress (6 MLAs), CPI(M) 1 MLA, AAP 1 MLA and several independents, taking its total tally to more than 52, well above the majority mark of 46.
BJP Denies Operation Lotus Charge
Bharatiya Janata Party has categorically denied Mehraj Malik’s claim that Operation Lotus is underway in J&K.
Speaking to News18, BJP leader Dr Tahir Choudhary said there is no truth in the claim, and BJP does not indulge in such things.
“There is no Operation Lotus in J&K. BJP does not indulge in such things. This is an internal matter of the National Conference. Their own MLAs are angry with their government. We have nothing to do with it. What Mehraj Malik is saying, he should not say such things without proof. Our party is focused on strengthening the organisation and playing the role of a constructive opposition,” Dr Tahir said.
BJP has 29 MLAs and is the second largest party in the Assembly. Even if 19 NC MLAs break away, they would need BJP support to form a government, which is what Mehraj Malik is hinting at.
Political experts, however, say that under the anti-defection law, a split is only valid if two-thirds of the party’s MLAs defect together. Two-thirds of 42 comes to 28 MLAs, while only 19 are reported to have met. So legally, they would attract disqualification unless they resign and face re-election. The Maharashtra-like scenario is difficult in J&K due to the strict anti-defection law.
Who is Nazir Ahmad Gurez?
Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi is a veteran NC leader and MLA from the Gurez constituency in Bandipora district. He is a former Deputy Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and is considered close to NC patriarch Farooq Abdullah. He has won from Gurez several times and has a clean image among party workers. He is seen as a consensus candidate among the rebel group because of his seniority.
Who is Mehraj Malik?
Mehraj Malik is the lone AAP MLA in J&K, who won from the Doda constituency by defeating BJP and NC candidates. He is known for his outspoken statements and strong presence on social media. He is also the AAP’s J&K unit chief. Though AAP is supporting the NC government from outside, Mehraj Malik has often been critical of the Omar Abdullah government on issues of governance, corruption, and employment.
His X post, therefore, is being seen as more than just speculation. In J&K’s political circles, Mehraj Malik is known to have contacts across party lines.
Whether his claim of Operation Lotus turns out to be true or just a political stunt will be clear in the next few days, but for now, it has certainly added fuel to the fire of NC’s internal infighting.
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Srinagar, India, India
November 01, 2026, 00:00 IST
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