Return of patriarch: Farooq steps in as NC old guard reasserts influence to check Omar - The HinduUpdated - November 10, 2026 04:49 am IST - SrinagarFarooq Abdullah is back in the saddle after nearly withdrawing from NC, govt. affairs managed by his son CM Omar Abdullah. | Photo Credit: file photoThe stand-off between the 17 MLAs of the ruling National Conference (NC) and Kashmir’s first political family, the Abdullahs, has had a rare consequence. It has brought the 89-year-old party patriarch, Farooq Abdullah, back into the saddle to steer the party and shape how the government functions, after he had nearly faded from affairs run entirely by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.The stalemate began on October 27 with the CM’s Cabinet reshuffle, after which at least three senior party leaders publicly expressed resentment over not being inducted. Later that day, the disgruntled legislators held a meeting, conspicuously in the absence of the Abdullahs, and subsequently submitted a charter of demands to the party leadership, which included intensifying the struggle for the restoration of Statehood and special status, removing Nasir Aslam Wani as the CM’s Adviser and reassigning the Roads and Buildings portfolio, currently held by Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary.Published - November 10, 2026 04:22 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }