Rebels in NC begin deserting the sailing ship

Syed Ali Safvi

JAMMU, Jan 20: National Conference (NC) is yet to complete one month in power, but the brewing resentment among some NC leaders and voices of dissent against the party high command is making the party fall apart. Many NC leaders, including two former ministers who are unhappy at the “indifferent attitude” of the party high command are likely to bid adieu to the party.

In an unprecedented development, some disgruntled NC leaders are most likely to leave the party even when it is in power. Earlier, political leaders have left their parties only when they were out of power. The new trend emerging in the NC camp suggests that there is more to all this than meets the eye.

According to reliable sources, two former ministers from Doda are likely to join PDP within a week. Interestingly, despite having many options, NC rebels are likely to join People’s Democratic Party (PDP) despite being well aware that the party will be NC’s prime target as long as it is in power.

NC received a shot in the arm yesterday when former NC legislator from Rajpora, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir joined PDP. If sources are to be believed, there are many others waiting in line to follow the steps of Mir.

According to the sources, NC district units of Rajouri and Poonch are not also happy with the party high command. The party high command has promised seats in Legislative Council (LC) to atleast 20 NC leaders from the region.

One of the PDP rebels, Mohammad Ayub Shabnum had joined NC after he was promised Rajya Sabha or LC seat by NC president, Farooq Abdullah himself. Similarly, Shah Mohammad Tantry, who had left NC after the party denied him ticket in the 2008 by-elections, rejoined NC on Oct 29, 2008 in presence of the NC president after he was promised a seat in the LC.

The party has made such promises to atleast 20 leaders from Rajouri and Poonch districts. All the leaders are camping in Jammu, but, according to them, so far the response of the party high command has been “indifferent”. Ironically, some of them have not managed to get an appointment with chief minister or the party president yet. They have now threatened to leave the party if the party high command continues to play hide and seek with them.

Given all the resentment among the leaders, the NC’s honey moon may well be short lived.