Srinagar, November 3: Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday formally tendered his resignation from the Lok Sabha and quit the primary membership of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), citing differences with the party leadership over its approach towards the political rights and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a letter addressed to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, dated November 3, Ruhullah submitted his resignation from the membership of the 18th Lok Sabha, stating that he was relinquishing his seat representing the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency with immediate effect.
Invoking Article 101(3)(b) of the Constitution of India and Rule 240 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, he described his resignation as voluntary and genuine and requested the Speaker to accept it.
In a separate resignation letter addressed to the National Conference leadership, Ruhullah criticised the party’s political approach, alleging that it had abandoned the struggle for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s rights following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019.
He said he had initially viewed the National Conference as the natural political platform to lead the struggle for the restoration of the region’s rights and had aligned himself with the party on the assurance that it would pursue that objective.
Referring to the 2024 Assembly elections, Ruhullah said he had campaigned vigorously for the NC, while the people had given the party a massive mandate, driven by their anger and expectations.
However, he alleged that the party subsequently took a political U-turn and abandoned the space for a sustained struggle in favour of governance and what he described as a vague promise of restoration of statehood.
“Personally, I saw this as a betrayal,” he wrote, adding that the expectations of the people had been betrayed at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was facing an existential threat.
He further expressed concern over what he termed the depoliticisation of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying he could not be part of a process that, in his view, undermined the region’s political identity and rights.
“I cannot and will not be party to this,” he wrote, adding that his conscience and political ethics would not allow him to continue with the party.
Concluding his letter, Ruhullah thanked the party leadership for the political journey they had shared and said he would continue to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir while remaining committed to his principles, values and convictions.
The resignation from the Lok Sabha will take effect upon its acceptance by the Speaker.
