Says he will also resign from Lok Sabha membership after quitting NC; accuses party leadership of abandoning its commitments on Article 370 and other issues
Srinagar, October 31: National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday reaffirmed his decision to resign from the party and his Lok Sabha membership on November 3, asserting that his political fight was based on principles and the fulfilment of promises made to people during the Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters in Budgam, Ruhullah said November 3, which marks the martyrdom anniversary of his father, would be the day when he would implement his previously announced decision.
He categorically distanced himself from any political manoeuvres aimed at destabilising the elected government, saying he was neither in favour of horse-trading nor wanted his name to be associated with such activities.
“I want the National Conference government to complete its five-year term. No government should be brought down through horse-trading,” he said, adding that his differences with the party leadership were rooted in ideological and political commitments rather than personal grievances over positions or power.
Ruhullah said his disagreement with the National Conference stemmed from what he described as the party’s failure to fulfil the assurances given to people during election campaigning.
He questioned the party’s approach towards issues including the restoration of Article 370, constitutional rights, reservation, the release of prisoners and implementation of promises made in its election manifesto.
He also criticised certain party leaders for holding protests and raising slogans against the leadership over what he described as personal grievances related to the allocation of positions, alleging that they had failed to take a principled stand on public issues.
“These people protested for their personal interests, but nobody stood up for principles during the past two years. Their objective is different from mine,” he said.
Ruhullah said he had no personal disappointment over not being offered any particular position, reiterating that his political stand was entirely connected with the commitments made to the people.
Explaining his decision to resign from the Lok Sabha, he said that after resigning from the National Conference, it would be morally and politically inappropriate for him to continue as an MP on the party’s election symbol.
He also referred to remarks by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, alleging that the party leadership had made it clear that the restoration of Article 370 was no longer among its political priorities.
“If the party does not want to fight for Article 370, why should I continue holding a position associated with a party that is unwilling to pursue that fight?” he asked.
Ruhullah said he wanted to pursue his political struggle with clarity and without being part of what he termed contradictions between the party’s election promises and its post-election position.
He acknowledged that resigning from Parliament would mean losing an important platform to raise issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, but said he was prepared to make that sacrifice.
“The parliamentary platform provided an opportunity to raise the issues of Jammu and Kashmir. But the question is whether I should continue with the party’s deviation and betrayal or return to the people with clarity and explain the reality,” he said.
Ruhullah expressed confidence that, with public support, he could regain a parliamentary platform and continue raising people’s concerns without political contradictions.
He further announced a change in the venue of the proposed programme scheduled for November 3, saying it would now be held at Behisht-e-Zahra Park in Budgam, near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.
He appealed to like-minded people, including those from different sections of society, to participate in the programme and extend their support to what he described as principled politics based on truth, transparency, conviction and integrity.
Ruhullah said the gathering would provide an opportunity to lay the foundation for a political approach rooted in public accountability, dignity and the protection of the rights of people across Jammu and Kashmir.
