Srinagar:Amid discussions over the expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers, voices within the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) are favouring the inclusion of experienced leaders.
Party insiders say there is a view within the organisation that first-time legislators from Srinagar should not be preferred over senior leaders with decades of political and grassroots experience.
MLA Eidgah Mubarak Gul, they say, enjoys broad acceptability among party workers and leaders. Insiders say that Party’s Top Leadership was also considered Mubarak Gull for the post of Speaker or his inclusion in Cabinet. Interestingly, MLA Nazir Gurezi and another leader from North Kashmir are also lobbying for the Speaker post.
Gul began his political career as a municipal councillor in 1976 and was first elected MLA from Eidgah in 1983. He later served as an MLC, Advisor to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly. He was also appointed Pro-tem Speaker after the 2024 Assembly elections.
Gul has represented Eidgah six times, most recently winning the seat in 2024.
Party insiders believe his inclusion would not disturb internal equations, and could instead strengthen Srinagar’s representation.
They argue that historic Downtown Srinagar deserves Cabinet-level attention, and Gul’s experience, public connect and acceptability make him a natural choice to represent the area.
