NC's twin troubles: Can Farooq Abdullah contain brewing revolt against Omar?

NEW DELHI: Two years after sweeping to power on a promise to reclaim Jammu and Kashmir’s political identity and dignity, Omar Abdullah’s government is confronting the limits of governing a Union Territory with constrained powers.What began as a historic return to power in October 2024 has increasingly turned into a political and administrative tightrope. While 89-year-old National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah has stepped in to contain simmering discontent among MLAs left out of the cabinet expansion, an ideological rupture has emerged with the exit of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, who has accused the party leadership of abandoning its core promises.Caught between disgruntled legislators seeking a greater share in government and a prominent party voice questioning its political compromises, the National Conference faces a twin challenge. The party has accused the BJP of exploiting its internal divisions to engineer an 'Operation Lotus' in Jammu and Kashmir.