Targets Omar, Farooq, accuses party of betraying people’s mandate
NC hits back, BJP says rally had ‘blessings of our people’
Srinagar/Jammu, Nov 3: In a major political development in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his resignation from the party as well as his decision to relinquish his Lok Sabha membership, launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah over what he termed the betrayal of people’s mandate and unfulfilled electoral promises.
Making the announcement at a public rally at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam, organised on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, Ruhullah described his departure from the NC as a “decree of freedom” from what he called a deceitful and corrupt organisation. He subsequently sent his resignation from the Lok Sabha directly to Speaker Om Birla.
During his nearly 80-minute address, Ruhullah accused the NC leadership of compromising on key promises made before the Assembly elections, including restoration of Article 370, release of prisoners, rationalisation of reservations, free electricity and removal of smart meters. He questioned the government’s approach towards the Centre and alleged that the leadership had failed to stand firmly on issues concerning the people.
Targeting Omar Abdullah, Ruhullah said he hoped he would never become so dependent on power that he would have to sacrifice his dignity to retain a position. He also accused the party of using his popularity during elections and subsequently ignoring the commitments made to the electorate.
Calls for a new political movement
Indicating his future political course, Ruhullah said he was not interested in merely shifting from one political party to another but wanted to initiate a broader movement for restoring the dignity, rights and political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He called upon youth from both Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the proposed initiative, irrespective of religion, region or community, and suggested that they should collectively decide its future structure and name.
He also handed over his party resignation letter to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of 2010 protest victim Tufail Mattoo, requesting him to personally deliver it to Farooq Abdullah. Ruhullah said the initiative marked the beginning of a new political journey.
NC launches counterattack
The National Conference responded sharply, describing Ruhullah’s speech as a manifestation of his “mental and moral bankruptcy” and accusing him of political opportunism, self-obsession and betraying the organisation that had provided him his political platform.
In a strongly worded statement, the party questioned his contribution to the restoration of special status and statehood, asking why he had not attempted to mobilise Parliamentarians or introduce a resolution or private member’s bill on these issues.
The NC also questioned his stand on the 2010 agitation, pointing out that he had remained a minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government at the time and subsequently contested the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket.
Defending its position, the party maintained that restoration of statehood would never come at the expense of special status and asserted that protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and constitutional rights remained central to its over 90-year-old political ideology.
On reservations, the NC said it had constituted a Cabinet sub-committee and initiated changes in the framework in fulfilment of its electoral commitment, but alleged that the file had been stalled by the Centre and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration. It also accused Ruhullah of working against the party during the Budgam Assembly by-election.