‘Do Justice to Eidgah’: Mubarak Gul’s Supporters Warn of Agitation After November 2 Over Cabinet Exclusion

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NEWS AGENCY KASHMIR NEWS TRUST #KNT

Srinagar, Oct 28, KNT: Supporters of senior National Conference leader and Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul staged a protest at Press Enclave in Srinagar, demanding his induction into the Council of Ministers and warning of an agitation after November 2 if the party leadership fails to address their demand.

The protesters described Gul as their pride and an honest, upright leader who had remained loyal to the National Conference through difficult political periods. They said his exclusion from the Cabinet had disappointed the people of Eidgah, who expected the party to recognize his longstanding association and contribution.

“Gul is our pride. He is honest and upright, and has remained loyal to the party. He did not leave the National Conference even when Ghulam Mohammad Shah toppled Farooq Abdullah’s government in 1984,” the supporters said, urging the party leadership to do justice to the Eidgah constituency.

The protest comes after the expansion of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Cabinet on Tuesday, during which four legislators were inducted, while Gul was left out despite being a senior leader and a six-time MLA.

Similar protests were reported at the National Conference headquarters at Nawa-i-Subh Complex, where party workers raised slogans against Gul’s exclusion and questioned the leadership’s decision to deny him a ministerial berth. Reports said supporters had given the party leadership two days to address their demand.

Gul, who has represented Eidgah in six Assembly elections, had also expressed disappointment over his repeated exclusion from successive Cabinets. Following the latest expansion, NC president Farooq Abdullah appointed him general secretary of the party organization.

However, the appointment has not satisfied all his supporters, who continue to insist that he deserves a place in the government.

The demand comes as the expanded Council of Ministers has reached its maximum permissible strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister, making any further induction dependent on a change in the Cabinet’s composition. [KNT]