National Conference appoints Mubarak Gul General Secretary

National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah has appointed veteran leader and Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul as the party's General Secretary. The move serves as a damage-control measure following discontent within the party ranks after a recent expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet.

Mubarak Gul, who replaces Ali Mohammad Sagar—who was recently inducted into the Council of Ministers—had expressed public outrage after being omitted from the new ministerial lineup. Gul noted his long history with the party, stating he had attended numerous swearing-in ceremonies only to be passed over for a ministerial berth.

Other senior leaders also expressed disappointment regarding the Cabinet expansion. Abdul Majeed Larmi, an MLA from Anantnag West, voiced his shock at being excluded but stated he would remain a loyal party worker. Meanwhile, Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi skipped the swearing-in ceremony to register his protest. Gul has indicated he will announce his future course of action at a scheduled press conference on November 4.