Budgam turnout exceeded expectations: Ruhullah

Budgam, Nov 3: Former National Conference (NC) leader and Srinagar Member Parliament (MP) Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday said the public gathering held in Budgam exceeded his expectations, asserting that people had participated voluntarily by spending their own time and money in support of what he described as principled politics.
Speaking to reporters at his residence, Ruhullah, said the participants had not been mobilised by any political party or organised cadre, but had travelled from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir on their own.
“People had come from different areas, from Poonch to Kupwara, including Rajouri and Kishtwar. They spent their own money and time to participate. They were not brought by any party or political organisation,” he said.
Mehdi said the gathering was not organised to celebrate any political achievement, but reflected the willingness of people to stand for principles and demand political accountability.
He called the public response an achievement not only for himself but also for the idea of principled politics, saying the turnout was beyond what he had anticipated.
Asked about his future political strategy and the time required to build a new political platform, Ruhullah said the process could take time and that he had not set any specific deadline in terms of months or years.
“There is no fixed timeline. If the right people come forward soon, the process will move quickly. If finding such people takes more time, the process will take that much time,” he said.
Appealing to young people as well as senior citizens to come forward and shoulder responsibility, Aga Ruhullah said no individual had a monopoly over public leadership and that ordinary people could also contribute towards building an alternative political movement.
He urged people to come forward with commitment and work towards creating a political alternative based on principles, accountability and the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)