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Srinagar MP Ruhullah announced his resignation from the NC and his Lok Sabha seat at a rally in Budgam on Tuesday.
Aga Ruhullah Ends 24-Year Association With NC, Resigns As Srinagar MP
A political row has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav claimed that the rally where Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced his resignation from the National Conference (NC) and the Lok Sabha had the “blessings” of BJP leaders.
The NC responded with a sharp remark, saying, “Now we know why Ruhullah didn’t have one word to say against the BJP.” The party posted the comment on its official X handle along with a video of Madhav’s press conference.
Speaking to reporters in Jammu during a day-long visit, Madhav said the NC was “visibly divided” and suggested that Ruhullah had held the rally with the tacit support of people associated with the BJP.
“I would not like to comment on the matter, but the National Conference is visibly divided today. Ruhullah is holding the rally today with the blessings of our people,” Madhav said.
However, he denied that the BJP was directly involved in the party’s internal dispute. “Whatever statements our MLAs make are a separate matter. This is entirely an internal matter of the NC, whose leaders are fighting among themselves,” he added.
Why Did Ruhullah Resign?
Ruhullah announced his resignation from the NC and his Lok Sabha seat at a rally in Budgam on Tuesday. The gathering was held to mark the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, who was assassinated in 2000.
At A Glance
Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced his resignation from the National Conference and the Lok Sabha at a rally in Budgam on Tuesday.
BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav claimed that the rally had the blessings of BJP leaders.
The National Conference accused Ruhullah of hypocrisy, political opportunism, and betraying the organisation that built his career.
Ruhullah stated that he stood with students protesting outside the Chief Minister’s residence in December 2024 regarding reservation concerns.
Following the rally, the NC issued a strongly worded statement attacking Ruhullah over his criticism of the party leadership and his position on Jammu and Kashmir’s political issues.
The party accused him of hypocrisy, political opportunism, self-obsession and betraying the organisation that had helped build his political career. It also questioned his contribution to the demands for restoration of special status, statehood and changes to the reservation framework.
The NC described his Budgam speech as a reflection of “mental and moral bankruptcy” and “self-obsession”. It also criticised his language against the party leadership, saying his remarks were derogatory, abusive and unparliamentary.
NC Questions His Stand On 2010, Article 370
The party particularly questioned Ruhullah’s decision to hand over his resignation to the father of Tufail Mattoo, who was accidentally killed during the 2010 riots.
The NC said Ruhullah had remembered the events of 2010 only when it suited him. It pointed out that he had remained a minister in the government until a general reshuffle, and had contested the 2014 Assembly elections on an NC ticket.
“…he remembered 2010 only today when it suited him,” the party said, adding that he had not raised the issue during his earlier years in the party.
The NC also challenged Ruhullah to list his efforts in Parliament towards restoring special status and statehood. It asked whether he had attempted to bring MPs from different parties together, introduce a Bill or move a resolution on these issues.
The party further questioned whether he had spoken about the present Union Territory arrangement and the alleged interference of the Lieutenant Governor in departments meant to function under the elected government.
Defending its position, the NC said restoration of statehood would never come at the cost of special status. It maintained that protecting Jammu and Kashmir’s identity and constitutional rights remained central to its political ideology and over 90-year-old legacy.
Reservation Row And Budgam Bypoll
On reservation, the NC questioned Ruhullah’s alleged silence towards the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre over concerns of open-merit candidates.
The party said it had fulfilled its electoral commitment by setting up a Cabinet sub-committee and initiating changes to the reservation framework, but alleged that the file had subsequently been stalled by the authorities.
It also accused Ruhullah of working against the party during the Budgam Assembly by-election and contributing to its defeat while continuing to use the NC’s political platform.
The party questioned how Ruhullah, who began his political career with the NC, served three terms as an MLA, became a minister and entered Parliament on its ticket, could now distance himself from the organisation.
Ruhullah Hits Back At NC
Ruhullah also responded to the party’s criticism through a post on X, taking a swipe at its leadership.
“As for the narcissist, your British boy should not worry. Tell him to keep his passports ready. We will fund a first-class ticket back to London. Get running, sonny boy. It is so done, bro,” he wrote.
In a separate post, the Office of Ruhullah accused the NC leadership of being more concerned about a leader questioning its promises than those who took away Jammu and Kashmir’s rights.
It said Ruhullah had given up his parliamentary seat, while the party leadership had abandoned its commitments to retain office.
The statement also challenged the NC to explain why it had sought votes on the promise of restoring Article 370 if it believed that those responsible for its removal would not reverse the decision.
On reservation, Ruhullah’s office said he had stood with students protesting outside the Chief Minister‘s residence in December 2024. It demanded that the government publish the decisions taken, the dates on which proposals were submitted and details of what remained pending.
The office also rejected the NC’s claim that Ruhullah owed his political career to the party, arguing that the votes and seats belonged to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
It ended by repeating the remark about funding a first-class ticket to London and telling the NC leadership to “stay rattled”.
Quick Answers
Ask News18A political row erupted after BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav claimed that the rally where Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi resigned from the National Conference had the blessings of BJP leaders. The National Conference responded sharply, stating that this confirmed why Ruhullah had avoided criticizing the BJP.
Ask News18About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
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