Soz expelled from NC for life

The meeting was chaired by NC president Farooq Abdullah. Of the 32 Working Committee members, 30 were present in today’s meeting.

Shah said the Working Committee viewed the indiscipline by Soz seriously. “Nobody is above the party and the party is supreme.” Since Soz’s action was unpardonable, the party had been forced to take action against him, said Shah.

Soz had lost membership of the party by voting against the NC decision and therefore should resign from Parliament and seek fresh mandate from people, Shah and Ahmed said.

They said Soz’s assertion that the party did not issue any whip to cast vote in favour of the motion was baseless. The NC had issued a whip and even Farooq had discussed the matter with Soz, they added.

As for the various political equations emerging at the Centre, Ahmed said the party was watching the current situation at the Centre and will decide accordingly. However, the executive members of the party have been asked to prepare for mid-term polls which may be held anytime now.

This is the second time an NC member has been expelled from the party. Earlier, former chief minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s close confidant, Afzal Beig, had to face expulsion from the party following differences between the two. However, Soz is the first leader to be expelled for openly revolting against the party leadership.

It was also decided in the meeting to appoint Shah, who is also Works Minister, as party’s working president in Farooq’s absence, who is leaving for Geneva today, Ahmed said. Shah will deal all party matters until Farooq returned from abroad in the first week of May, he said.

BJP could have done it

“Only the BJP Government at the Centre could have solved the Kashmir issue and improve relations with Pakistan”. This was stated by Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah while talking to mediapersons here this morning. Describing the ouster of the BJP Government as unfortunate, particularly when the two countries meant business, Farooq said there was some conspiracy behind it.