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Aga Ruhullah accused the NC leadership of moving away from its electoral promises, particularly on reservations, Article 370 and restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Aga Ruhullah Ends 24-Year Association With NC, Resigns As Srinagar MP
Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his resignation from the National Conference and his Lok Sabha membership, launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, whom he accused of abandoning the party’s promise to fight for the restoration of Article 370.
Addressing a gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, Ruhullah said he could no longer remain part of a party that, according to him, had sought votes in the name of protecting Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights but had failed to pursue those commitments after coming to power.
The legislator signed his resignation letter from the National Conference and said a copy would be handed over to party president Farooq Abdullah by Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo, whose 17-year-old son, Tufail Ahmad Mattoo, was killed in 2010 after being hit by a tear gas shell during Omar Abdullah’s tenure as Chief Minister.
Ruhullah also announced his resignation from the Lok Sabha, saying he would email his resignation letter to Speaker Om Birla.
At the centre of his nearly hour-long address was the allegation that the National Conference had abandoned its political commitment to the restoration of Article 370 and constitutional guarantees after securing the mandate in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Recalling Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India, Ruhullah said the people had agreed to the arrangement on the understanding that their identity, autonomy and rights would be protected under the Constitution.
“This place merged with India considering that we would get protection under the Constitution. We would have autonomy. The party that claimed to be the protector of autonomy and Article 370 was the same party that was in power when our rights were being diluted,” he said.
Referring to the period between 1953 and 2019, Ruhullah said Jammu and Kashmir’s special position had been progressively weakened before its constitutional status was changed on August 5, 2019.
“From 1953 to 2019, our special position was diluted, and on August 5, 2019, this dignity was buried,” he said.
Ruhullah said he began questioning the party leadership after what he described as its response to the abrogation of Article 370, alleging that sections of the leadership were more concerned about restoring 4G internet services, holding elections and securing the release of leaders than mounting a political challenge.
“I started questioning my party. I asked them, what are you doing? Someone was looking for 4G internet, while others were looking for elections and their release,” he said.
‘Why are you scared of BJP?’
In a direct attack on Omar Abdullah, Ruhullah accused the Chief Minister of changing the goalpost after seeking votes on the promise of fighting for Article 370. He said Omar had repeatedly assured him that his political fight was not merely for the restoration of statehood but for Article 370 and constitutional guarantees and had promised to pursue the issue before the Assembly elections.
“Your mandate was against the BJP. Then you changed the goalpost by saying those who took it away would not give it back. The Quran tells us to speak about our rights and trust in God. Why are you scared of the BJP? People voted you to fight. Are you telling us to fear the BJP?” he said.
Ruhullah also questioned Omar’s public engagements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers, accusing him of failing to communicate the hurt and resentment among people over the 2019 changes.
“You welcomed Modi like anything in Sonamarg and later in Jammu. You sought a promotion from the Prime Minister, asking him to promote you from a UT Chief Minister to a state Chief Minister. Did you ever tell him how hurt the people are and how pained they feel?” leader asked.
He also questioned the Chief Minister’s decision to present shawls to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, whom Ruhullah accused of making statements against Muslims.
“Why did you gift a shawl to Nishikant Dubey, who does not stop talking against Muslims?” MP asked.
Accusing the NC leadership of making Kashmiris fearful of the BJP rather than asserting their political rights, Ruhullah said the people had voted for a leadership that was expected to confront the Centre on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. “You have started frightening Kashmiris instead of the BJP,” Aga said.
‘We will set the agenda, not Delhi’
Ruhullah also directed a message at the BJP and the RSS, asserting that Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights and dignity could not be compromised irrespective of which party was in power at the Centre.
“To the BJP and RSS, enough is enough. We will not sell our rights and respect. Protection under the Constitution is our right. Whoever rules India, make it a habit that we will talk to anyone on our own terms and conditions. The Centre cannot set the agenda. We will set the agenda, not the power in Delhi,” he said.
He further criticised the Omar Abdullah government over its response to the Waqf Amendment Act, alleging that while several other state assemblies had passed resolutions opposing the legislation, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly had failed to do so despite the region being Muslim-majority.
Ruhullah also questioned Omar’s subsequent public engagement with Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju at Srinagar’s Tulip Garden, accusing the minister of being instrumental in bringing the Waqf amendment.
The resignation comes after months of public differences between Ruhullah and the NC leadership over Article 370, reservation policy, the release of political prisoners and the party’s approach towards the Centre.
Ruhullah, who was among the National Conference’s prominent campaigners during the 2024 Assembly elections, had repeatedly accused the party of shifting its focus from the restoration of special status to statehood after forming the government.
His exit also comes at a time when the ruling party is facing internal dissent, with a group of its legislators recently raising concerns over governance, ministerial performance and the functioning of the party leadership.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi resigned because he accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the National Conference leadership of betraying their electoral promise to fight for the restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights after coming to power in the 2024 elections.
Ask News18About the Author
Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro…Read More
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