National Conference MP Ruhullah Mehdi quits party, hints at launching political outfit

National Conference MP from Srinagar Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi announced his resignation from the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir as he accused the party of abandoning its struggle for restoration of Article 370. However, the party leadership shrugged off any possibility of the development impacting the stability of the government, stating that “there is no threat” to the government.

Accuses NC leadership of abandoning Article 370 fight

Ruhullah made the announcement in Budgam on Tuesday (November 3), marking the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi. Although at the rally he did not mention resigning from the Parliament, he later told PTI that he would send his resignation to the Lok Sabha Speaker later on Tuesday.

Elected to the Lok Sabha on an NC ticket in 2024, Ruhullah in his speech indicated that he might form a new political outfit in Jammu and Kashmir as he lashed out at NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing them of abandoning the fight to restore Article 370.

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Accusing the party of failing to honour its promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections, including those concerning the restoration of Article 370, the release of prisoners and free electricity, Ruhullah said, “All the posturing during elections about restoring Article 370, releasing prisoners, and providing free electricity were just lies. And I cannot continue to be a part of these lies anymore.”

He described his resignation from the party as a “decree of freedom”.

Hints at launching political party

Ruhullah said that while some people wanted him to form a new political party, he was more interested in launching a movement for the restoration of dignity and respect for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We pleaded for support for them (NC) during the 2024 elections, and it has turned out to be a mistake. They might have given up, but we have not. We will launch a movement where honest and compassionate people come forward to lead the struggle for restoring what has been snatched from us,” he added.

What the MP said in resignation letter

In a four-page resignation letter, he accused the NC of turning away from the expectations of voters after securing a massive mandate in the 2024 Assembly elections.

The MP said the party had betrayed the "anger, emotions and massive mandate" of the people and alleged that it made an 'about turn' soon after the elections.

"I will begin with a note that meshes history with the present of the region that I belong to, Jammu and Kashmir. Our region and its people bear the burden of history," he wrote, describing that burden as hanging over Kashmir's past, present and future "like the Damocles Sword," reported NDTV.

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Ruhullah termed the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A in 2019 a 'brazen assault' on the rights of Kashmiris. "Rights make a people. Without these, there is just erasure of a people."

He argued that the developments of 2019 had also offered an opportunity to "reclaim politics and space". He said he expected the NC to lead a struggle for the restoration of the region's rights and had stepped up his association with the party on that assurance.

"I approached you and you assured me of a struggle. Based on this assurance, I aligned my politics more vigorously with the NC. The hope was this alignment would create and catalyse a movement for restoration of our rights. But, alas, this was not to be," the letter read.

Deputy CM rules out threat to govt

Speaking to reporters later in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary Tuesday dismissed concerns over the stability of the Omar Abdullah-led government amid reported differences within the ruling National Conference following the recent Cabinet expansion and dissent by Ruhullah.

Responding to a question on whether the NC government would be able to complete its five-year term in view of the opposition by some legislators and Ruhullah's rebellion, Choudhary said the people's mandate had brought the NC to power and urged journalists to assess the government's performance by speaking to people on the ground.

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"You are journalists, the fourth pillar of this country. Rather than asking us about everything, you should also go out into the field, visit villages and towns and speak to people.

"They themselves will tell you who is doing the right thing and who is doing the wrong thing; who is performing well and who is not," he told reporters here.

The deputy Chief Minister said the Omar Abdullah government was formed because the people voted the NC to power.

"There is no threat," he said.

Choudhary says NC will consider party workers' grievances

On Ruhullah's position and the reported differences within the party, Choudhary described him as a prominent leader of J-K and said what he chose to do was his decision, while the people's response was their choice.

He said the NC had a tradition of listening to even the smallest party worker and considering their grievances and suggestions.

"If they point out any shortcomings, the party leadership will make efforts to address and rectify them," he said.