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Senior NC leader Nazir Ahmad Gurezi said what was being projected as rebellion was only pain in the heart of senior leaders who felt ignored
Senior NC leader Nazir Ahmad Gurezi said there is no separate group within the party. (Image: Special arrangement)
After days of speculation, rumours of factionalism and talks of “Operation Lotus” in Jammu and Kashmir, senior National Conference leader and former deputy speaker Nazir Ahmad Gurezi assured that there is no separate group or camp in the party.
Gurezi, one of the disgruntled MLAs who was present at the meeting with the top leadership on November 6, said there is no plan to destabilise the government. He said what was being projected as rebellion was only pain in the heart of senior leaders who felt ignored.
“We have no separate group. Reports of displeasure are only a media creation,” Gurezi said. “Yes, there was pain and hurt in my heart. I placed it before the party high command. That is not indiscipline, that is love for the party.”
His statement comes a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing party leaders and workers from Jammu during a Diwali Milan, admitted his own limitations and appealed for patience. He told workers that he has limited options: only eight cabinet berths, while every MLA wants to become a minister.
Comparing the situation to organisational ambitions, where every block president wants to become district president and then provincial president, he said he is trying to maintain balance but leaders will have to show patience. He stressed that strengthening the organisation is his priority, adding that he will never tolerate division or factionalism in the party.
Gurezi said the displeasure was not his alone as many senior leaders were also hurt at not getting a place in the cabinet. After years of struggle, staying in opposition, facing jail and pressure while keeping the party flag flying high, they had expected recognition. When that did not happen, pain was natural, he added.
But, he said, that pain was never against the party or the leadership. “Above that, my aim was to strengthen the party and the government,” he said, adding, “we are core NC leaders. We have nothing to do with any other party.”
Gurezi further said his meeting with Omar and NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah went well. The talks were satisfactory and he was assured that every possible step will be taken to strengthen the party.
“The meeting was very good. The talks were satisfactory. The chief minister has assured that every possible step will be taken to strengthen the party,” he said.
He also praised the chief minister, calling him a visionary. “We understand his compulsions. He has only eight berths. He cannot make everyone a minister. We understand that,” he said. “We are not taking any such step, nor will we take any such step, which creates any problem for anyone.”
Over the past few days, social media and some political circles were abuzz with claims that the BJP was trying to engineer a split in the NC and project Gurezi as a new CM. He dismissed such reports as baseless.
“There is no truth in it. It is baseless. Those who are spreading such rumours do not know me, nor do they know the National Conference,” he said.
He said there is a wrong perception among people that the government is doing nothing. That perception is hurting the party on the ground. Therefore, he added, they raised two issues before the leadership: improving ministers’ performance and moving forward on the issue of Article 370.
“The people had huge expectations from this government. They voted for change. They voted for dignity. They want to see delivery,” he said. “So we said, ministers’ performance should improve, and we should move forward on the issue of Article 370. This is our political commitment. We cannot forget it.”
Political observers said Gurezi’s tone marks a clear shift from confrontation to reconciliation. Instead of issuing threats or setting deadlines, he has chosen to publicly reaffirm faith in Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, while at the same time reminding the leadership of the promises made to the people.
According to sources in the party, the meeting between Gurezi and the Abdullahs lasted for a long time and was held in a cordial atmosphere. The leadership patiently listened to the grievances and assured that senior leaders will be given due respect and role in the organisation and in governance.
Omar, in his Diwali Milan address, also gave a similar message. He said strengthening the organisation is his priority and he will not allow factionalism. At the same time, he acknowledged that aspirations are natural and he is trying to maintain balance.
Gurezi’s remarks are being seen as a response to that message – a signal that the senior leaders are ready to show patience if they are heard and respected.
“I was in pain, but I am a soldier of the National Conference. I have spent my whole life here. How can I go against it?” he asked.
He said the NC has recently emerged from a phase of internal indiscipline, and no one wants to push it back into that phase. The party fought a difficult election, formed the government after a long gap, and now it has to deliver.
“The government has to perform. The party has to be strengthened. These two are linked. If the party is weak, the government will be weak. If the government does not perform, the party will suffer,” he said.
He also rejected the idea that senior leaders were bargaining for posts. “This was never about a chair for me. It was about respect for those who stood with the party in difficult times,” he added.
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Ask News18Nazir Ahmad Gurezi assured that there is no separate faction or group within the National Conference and dismissed reports of a rebellion as baseless media creations and a sign of love for the party. He clarified that he and other senior leaders were only expressing their pain over being ignored during the cabinet expansion.
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Srinagar, India, India
November 08, 2026, 17:57 IST
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