Ruhullah quits LS seat and NC Ram Madhav says his rally has 'blessings of our people' NC hits back

Budgam, Nov 3 (PTI) Ending a bitter stalemate with the National Conference (NC) leadership, Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday resigned from the seat as well as the party shortly after a rally here that the BJP said was held with the "blessings of our people".

Addressing a gathering at Behist-e-Zehra Park in Budgam on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, the Shia leader launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah, calling his exit a "decree of freedom" from a "deceitful, corrupt organisation".

However, political observers noted that despite an intense media build-up over his planned exit, the turnout at the Budgam park remained relatively modest compared to his earlier mass political demonstrations, comprising mostly loyalists, family supporters, and curious onlookers.

Reacting to the development, BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav claimed the ruling party was "visibly divided" and suggested that Ruhullah held the rally with the tacit support of opponents.

"I would not like to comment on the matter, but the National Conference is visibly divided today. Ruhullah is holding the rally today with the blessings of our people," Madhav told reporters in Jammu during a day-long visit.

He maintained that the BJP had no direct involvement in the NC's internal rift, adding, "Whatever statements our MLAs make are a separate matter. This is entirely an internal matter of the NC, and its leaders are fighting among themselves."

Launching a sharp counter-offensive against Ruhullah, the National Conference termed his criticism as a manifestation of "moral bankruptcy" and accused him of backstabbing the party that built his political career.

Taking strong exception to his remarks, the party said his speech was "full of derogatory, abusive, and unparliamentary language against the NC leadership".

"Aga Ruhullah's decision to resign as MP is too late. He should have done it a year ago when he chose to join the forces rattled by the mandate given to the NC," the party said, accusing him of playing a role in the party's defeat in the Budgam assembly by-poll while remaining within its ranks.

Questioning his record in Parliament, the NC asked why the Srinagar MP, who successfully mobilised over 100 parliamentarians from various parties to sign an impeachment motion against an Allahabad High Court judge, failed to initiate a similar effort for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status or statehood.

"Did he even try to move a resolution or a private member's bill in Parliament regarding special status? Was he not sent to Parliament to represent the sentiment of the people and garner the support of secular parties?" the party questioned.

The NC also pointed out contradictions in Mehdi's stance on the reservation issue and the 2010 agitation, stating that he remained a cabinet minister until a general reshuffle and fought the 2014 assembly elections on a party ticket without raising objections at the time.

"He only remembered to resign when directed by the party president. He conveniently forgot about 2010 until 16 years later," the statement said, adding that Mehdi had initially welcomed the assembly resolution demanding the restoration of special status passed on November 6.

Addressing the contentious reservation framework, the party maintained that the rationalisation of quotas was a key election pledge. It highlighted that the NC government had already constituted a cabinet sub-committee and initiated changes, but blamed the Lieutenant Governor's administration and the Centre for stalling the file.

"Did Mr Mehdi raise this issue in Parliament and ask the Centre why they stalled the J&K cabinet's decision on job reservations? Did he organise a single protest against the LG administration demanding justice for the open merit category during his six months as MP prior to the assembly elections?" the party asked.

Former Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina similarly distanced his party from the fallout but warned of severe political turbulence ahead for the ruling coalition. "We have absolutely nothing to do with the turmoil within the National Conference... Whether its MLAs are raising the banner of rebellion or an MP is resigning, it is their internal matter," Raina said, adding that "a mountain of troubles" was approaching the NC.

Meanwhile, alliance partner Congress attempted to downplay the crisis, attributing Ruhullah's departure to personal and ideological friction rather than wider government instability.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra said "he had a different perspective, while the party was moving in a different direction. Perhaps there was also a lack of ideological compatibility".

Karra expressed confidence that the NC leadership would resolve its internal friction through dialogue while reaffirming the Congress's commitment to back the ruling coalition.

"We have always maintained that whenever the National Conference faces any threat from the BJP, the Congress party must stand firmly alongside the National Conference," Karra asserted.

During his 80-minute speech, Ruhullah accused the NC of betraying election vows regarding Article 370, prisoner releases, and public relief. Shortly after the event, he sent his Lok Sabha resignation letter directly to Speaker Om Birla.

In a move seen by observers as a political gimmick, Ruhullah handed his party resignation letter to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of teenager Tufail Mattoo, whose 2010 death sparked widespread protests during Omar Abdullah's previous tenure as chief minister, asking him to deliver it to Farooq Abdullah.

"This is a charter of freedom. I will not send this [resignation] to Farooq Abdullah. They do not have the standing or worth for me to send it to them. This is a message of freedom from this deceitful, corrupt organisation. I am handing this resignation over to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo Sahab. I request him to forward this resignation with his own hands," Ruhullah said.

Notably, Ruhullah was a cabinet minister in 2010 and was part of the Omar Abdullah-led government during that time.

Ruhullah hinted at launching a broader political movement across Jammu and Kashmir rather than immediately forming a new political outfit.

In his two-page resignation letter to Abdullah, Ruhullah said the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was "paradoxically an opportunity" to reclaim politics, political space and rights but it needed a struggle, sacrifices and prices to be paid.

"My working assumption then was that the National Conference, the grand old party of Kashmir, was the natural candidate for the struggle that the situation demanded," he said.

Ruhullah said he campaigned for the National Conference in assembly elections vigorously and people also poured their anger in the form of a massive mandate to the party.

About his future plans, Ruhullah said that while some people wanted him to form a new political party, he was more interested in launching a movement for the restoration of dignity and respect for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. PTI SSB TAS AB MIJ SAP SAP

SAP

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)