Srinagar | October 27, 2026 : In a significant organisational move following the expansion of Jammu and Kashmir’s Council of Ministers, National Conference (NC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah has appointed veteran leader and six-time Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul as the party’s new General Secretary. The appointment comes amid reported discontent among some senior party leaders who were not included in the newly expanded ministry.
The decision was announced after Farooq Abdullah and senior National Conference leaders arrived at the party headquarters at Nawai Subah, shortly after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet expansion. Gul will replace Ali Mohammad Sagar, who was inducted into the Council of Ministers.
🔹 Mubarak Gul Expresses Disappointment
Gul, a veteran politician who has won every election from the Eidgah Assembly constituency since 1987, indicated his disappointment at being overlooked for a ministerial position.
“I will speak at an appropriate time,” Gul said, adding that he had attended 30 oath-taking ceremonies and had been left out on each occasion.
His appointment as General Secretary places him in a key organisational role at a time when the party is navigating expectations and concerns among its senior leadership.
🔹 Abdul Majid Bhat Larmi Acknowledges Hurt, Reaffirms Loyalty
Another senior NC leader, Abdul Majid Bhat Larmi, also expressed disappointment over not being included in the ministry. While acknowledging that exclusion can naturally cause hurt, he maintained that he accepted the party leadership’s decision and reaffirmed his commitment to the organisation.
Larmi dismissed speculation that dissatisfied leaders might leave the party, stressing that they would continue working for the National Conference.
🔹 Balancing Government Formation and Party Unity
The latest developments highlight the challenge political parties face when distributing ministerial responsibilities while managing the aspirations of experienced leaders. Mubarak Gul’s appointment signals an organisational response as the National Conference seeks to maintain cohesion following the cabinet expansion.
Whether the move will ease internal concerns remains to be seen. For now, the party’s public message is one of continued loyalty and commitment, even as some senior leaders have openly acknowledged their disappointment.
This report is based on the information provided. The political implications of the appointment and its effect on internal party dynamics remain to be seen.
