All Not Well in NC After Cabinet Expansion? Gurezi Skips Oath Ceremony, Larmi Voices Disappointment

**Four legislators inducted into Omar Abdullah government as reports of discontent surface over ministerial berths, with senior leaders left out of the Cabinet.**

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

BY HAYAT UBAID 

SRINAGAR, OCT, 27:- The National Conference is facing questions over discontent within its ranks following Tuesday’s Cabinet expansion, with reports of Nazir Ahmed Khan Gurezi missing the swearing in ceremony, ministers visiting his residence and senior MLA Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi expressing disappointment over being left out of the government.

Four legislators, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, were inducted into the Omar Abdullah led Council of Ministers at a ceremony held at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy.

The selection has prompted renewed attention to the expectations of senior party legislators who were not accommodated in the expansion. With the Cabinet reaching its permissible strength, the leadership had limited room to satisfy competing demands for ministerial positions.

Larmi, the NC MLA from Larnoo, has voiced disappointment over his exclusion, saying he was a senior and deserving leader who had nevertheless been left out of the Cabinet. His reaction adds to questions surrounding the selection process and the expectations of legislators who had hoped to secure a place in the government.

Gurezi’s reported absence from the oath taking ceremony has also drawn attention. Reports that ministers subsequently visited his residence have fuelled speculation about discussions with the senior leader, although the purpose of the visit and whether it was directly connected to the Cabinet selection were not immediately clear.

Another senior NC leader, Mubarak Gul, openly expressed disappointment over his exclusion. Speaking to reporters at Lok Bhawan, Gul said he had attended numerous oath taking ceremonies but had repeatedly been left out of ministerial appointments.

“I have attended at least 20 oath taking ceremonies, but I have always been dropped, and I have been dropped this time as well. I will talk at an appropriate time,” Gul said, according to Daily Maqsad.

The reactions have placed the spotlight on the challenges facing the NC leadership as it balances seniority, regional representation and the political aspirations of its legislators. However, the reported absences and expressions of disappointment do not, by themselves, establish a coordinated protest against the party leadership.

The circumstances surrounding Gurezi’s absence, the reported visit by ministers and the full remarks made by Larmi require further clarification from the leaders concerned. No formal decision by either leader to leave the National Conference had been established at the time of writing.

The coming days may provide a clearer indication of whether the discontent remains limited to individual grievances or develops into a wider political challenge for the ruling party.