Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Oct 27: While many had anticipated fireworks inside the Assembly on Monday, the real storm erupted within the National Conference (NC) as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the party’s outspoken MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, and senior leader Majeed Larmi engaged in a heated war of words over leadership, loyalty, and unfulfilled promises.
With Ruhullah, who was the star campaigner for the National Conference during the 2024 elections, now distancing himself from the party over unfulfilled poll promises, the rift has deepened as leaders trade sharp barbs in public.
Omar Abdullah, speaking at a press conference earlier in the day, drew a clear distinction between two of his party’s parliamentarians Mian Altaf Ahmad and Aga Ruhullah Mehdi.
Omar praised Mian Altaf as a seasoned and respected leader whose counsel he valued deeply. He recalled how both his father and Mian Altaf often advised him to measure his words carefully, a suggestion he said, he admired.
“I have great respect for Mian Sahib. My father always tells me to think before I speak, and Mian Sahib says the same. In that way, they are alike,” Omar said.
But when asked to comment on MP Ruhullah, Omar drew a sharp contrast, saying that there was a “difference between the earth and the sky” between the two leaders.
He refused to elaborate further, dismissing the question abruptly. “I will not speak about him,” he said, his tone firm enough to leave little doubt about his displeasure.
Omar also responded to reports that Ruhullah had refused to join the Budgam bypoll campaign, saying that the party has enough leaders to carry on its political outreach. “No one is being forced to campaign,” he said. “We have plenty of people willing to go out and work. Whoever wants to stay away can do so.”
Hours later, NC legislator Majeed Larmi added fuel to the fire. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Larmi, took direct aim at Ruhullah’s criticism of the Chief Minister, suggesting that if the MP truly believed the government has failed, he should resign from his seat and face the people again.
“If he says the Chief Minister has done nothing, then let him resign and contest again,” Larmi said. “He won on the party’s ticket. If he thinks the leadership failed, he should have the courage to go back to the voters.”
Larmi said every representative has a right to speak for their people but argued that public criticism of the leadership was damaging to the party’s unity.
He pointed out that many decisions affecting daily life, including the installation of smart meters, were taken under the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, not by the elected government. “The order for smart meters came from the LG government, not ours. When our government has full control, we will deal with it differently,” he added.
He also suggested that major policy decisions could only be made once statehood was restored. “When there is no money and no administrative power in the state’s hands, how can anyone promise miracles?” he asked.
By afternoon, it was Ruhullah’s turn to respond and he did not hold back.
Speaking at another media interaction, the MP Ruhullah rejected any notion of personal rivalry, saying his concern was about the direction the party had taken since coming to power.
“If the National Conference wants to make this personal, I’m ready to fight,” Ruhullah said.
“There is no time for personal fights. The real fight is for Kashmir’s existence,” he said. “We promised people a battle for their dignity and the restoration of their rights. Where has that fight gone?”
Ruhullah accused the leadership of abandoning key poll promises made during the 2024 elections, including the restoration of Article 370 and the creation of one lakh jobs. “Only 20,000 have been given. Can anyone tell me where the rest are? Can anyone give me their address?” he asked.
He also raised concerns about detained youth in Kashmir, saying thousands remain behind bars without trial. “These are the same people who voted for us. What have we done for them?”
Rejecting any focus on himself, Ruhullah said his remarks were driven by accountability, not ego. “Ruhullah is not important. What matters is the trust people placed in us and the promises we made,” he said. “If someone wants to make it about ego, they can. But I won’t.” (KNO)
