Omar's party goes unrepresented as party MP opts out of outreach trip
SRINAGAR: J&K's National Conference (NC) has no plans to nominate another representative for the all-party delegations briefing foreign nations and UN members about India's anti-terrorism position and
after party MP Mian Altaf Ahmad declined to join the team currently visiting key countries.
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NC will not have political representation in any of the seven delegations.
Centre had nominated the Anantnag–Rajouri MP for the delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi in his capacity as NC's parliamentary head, party sources said Sunday. The team includes Rajiv Rai (SP), Capt Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), and ambassador Jawed Ashraf. It was in Russia Saturday.
Three politicians from J&K —
(Democratic Progressive Azad Party), Mian Altaf (NC), and Ghulam Ali Khatana (BJP) — had been named for these outreach efforts.
Altaf opted out as he is engaged with the annual religious ceremony of Hazrat Mian Nizamuddin Kiyanvi, popularly known as Baba Nagri, held in early June at Wangath in Kangan of Ganderbal district. The event draws thousands of devotees across J&K.
A senior NC functionary said while the party was consulted and Altaf's consent was sought, the nomination was Centre's decision. 'Centre didn't ask us for his replacement after he declined,' the functionary said.
'Since he was nominated as parliamentary head, I don't think anyone else can represent NC now.'
Tensions within NC also surfaced Sunday, as MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi accused party brass of yielding to Centre on
. On X, Mehdi wrote: 'Oh leader! Either rise and speak up for your people, or step down, wear bangles, and remain confined to a palanquin.'
The post appeared to target CM
, who had earlier posted: 'Sunday musing. There are doers & there are talkers. That's why I don't talk as much as some people I know.'
The internal rift became public during NC's working committee meeting on May 21, where Mehdi voiced frustration over lack of progress on restoring Article 370.
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