Aga Ruhullah quits NC, relinquishes Lok Sabha seat

Budgam, Nov 3: In a major setback to the National Conference, Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his exit from the party and said he was relinquishing his parliamentary position, while calling for a new political movement centred on dignity, principles and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a large gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam, Ruhullah, made the announcement at 2:40 pm, coinciding with the martyrdom anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi.
During his speech, Ruhullah asked Muhammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of 2010 protest victim Tufail Mattoo, to hand over his resignation to NC president Farooq Abdullah.
“Till now I was with the National Conference. Right now, I have got freedom from this National Conference and as an MP,” Ruhullah said, announcing his departure from the party and decision to step down from Parliament.
Launching a direct attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Ruhullah accused him of compromising on promises made to the people before the elections.
“I hope I never become so power-dependent that I have to sacrifice my dignity to retain a chair,” he said.
He also accused the NC of using his popularity during elections and later failing to honour commitments made to voters.
Recalling the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ruhullah said party leaders persuaded him to contest while he was abroad. He claimed Omar Abdullah later congratulated him on his victory and told him he had saved the party’s honour after the NC leader’s own electoral defeat.
Ruhullah accused the NC government of abandoning key election promises after coming to power, including commitments related to Article 370, reservation issues, release of prisoners, free electricity and removal of smart meters.
Questioning the party’s approach towards the Centre, he asked: “Why are you afraid of the BJP? Why don’t you fight for your people?”
Referring to reported remarks by Farooq Abdullah on Article 370, Ruhullah said the party should have been forthright with voters if it believed restoration of the provision was no longer possible.
Ruhullah also criticised the government’s handling of issues concerning students, unemployment and youth welfare, alleging that public concerns had not received adequate attention.
He accused the Chief Minister of showing greater urgency in pursuing positions for associates than in addressing concerns related to prisoners, unemployment and other public issues.
In a key section of his address, Ruhullah appealed for the formation of a new political platform involving youth from both Jammu and Kashmir.
He said his aim was not to leave one party for another but to bring together people committed to protecting the dignity and interests of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of region, religion or community.
“I need honest people, youth from both Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, urging families to encourage young people to participate in public life.
He said the initiative should represent all communities, including Kashmiris, Dogras, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and others, and suggested that participants themselves decide its future structure and name.
“The new journey has begun,” he declared.
Ruhullah also criticised the BJP-led Union government, alleging that minority rights were being undermined and asserting that Jammu and Kashmir should determine its own political priorities.
“Now we will set the agenda, the Centre will not set it for us,” he said.
He further criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government over its handling of the Waqf Bill, alleging that it had failed to pass a resolution against it in the Assembly.
The Lok Sabha seat will fall vacant only after the Speaker accepts the resignation. A by-election may subsequently be held. Ruhullah’s future political course, including whether he contests again as an independent candidate, remains unclear.
His exit presents a political challenge for the National Conference, which now faces the prospect of losing a sitting MP who won the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in 2024. (KNO)