The National Conference (NC) on Saturday dismissed reports of an internal rebellion after 19 of its MLAs, including independents, reportedly held a four-hour meeting in Srinagar on Thursday (October 29). The legislators have reportedly demanded a cabinet reshuffle and the removal of key functionaries close to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Sources said the MLAs met at the residence of Lolab MLA Kaiser Jamsheed Lone. The meeting triggered concerns within the party. According to highly placed sources, Omar Abdullah sent a close aide from Delhi to speak to the legislators. However, they refused to meet the aide and demanded direct talks with the Chief Minister.

“We want direct talks with the chief minister; we don’t want to talk to his aide," an MLA is learnt to have said.

The refusal was seen as a setback for the party leadership and reflected growing dissatisfaction among the legislators.

However, NC provincial president Showket Ahmed Mir dismissed reports of a rift during a press briefing. He described the dinner meeting as routine and said there was “nothing like rebellion".

Cabinet minister and senior leader Javeed Ahmed Rana also said there was nothing wrong with the meeting, adding that the MLAs had raised their concerns within the party forum. He assured that their demands would be heard and addressed. Rana said the NC was a democratic party and could not satisfy everyone, but grievances would be resolved. “Their other demands will also be fulfilled," he added.

The legislators have sought the implementation of the Dachigam Declaration, alleging that its provisions have been violated. They have also demanded the removal of all four ministers who have completed two years in office, making way for new faces in the cabinet.

Other demands include the removal of the Chief Minister's adviser and key office-bearers. The MLAs have accused Kashmir provincial president Showkat Ahmad Mir of misleading Omar Abdullah and harming the party. They have also raised complaints against Shammi Oberoi.

The legislators from Pir Panjal have expressed dissatisfaction over the Deputy Chief Minister, alleging that development funds were used mainly in his constituency. They have demanded fair representation for Jammu and Pir Panjal, along with greater internal democracy in the party.

NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah has also spoken to several MLAs in an attempt to calm tensions. He proposed a cabinet reshuffle after one-and-a-half years, assuring that those who were not accommodated earlier would get an opportunity then.

“Please don’t be upset. We will adjust those who didn’t get a chance in the cabinet now after one-and-a-half years," he reportedly told them.

However, the MLAs rejected the proposal and remained firm on their demands. Those attending the meeting included Hasnain Masoodi, Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir, Javid Ahmad, Saif-ud-Din Bhat, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Mubarak Gul, Nazir Ahmad Khan, Hilal Akbar Lone, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Abdul Majid Bhat alias Larmi, Aijaz Ahmad Jan, Javid Iqbal Choudhary, Arjun Singh Raju, Khursheed Ahmad, Dr Sajad Shafi, Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan and Independent MLA Engineer Khurshid Ahmed.

The legislators represent constituencies across Kashmir, Jammu and Pir Panjal. They have ruled out seeking support from the BJP and said they would continue raising their demands within the party.