SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday announced that he would resign from the party and his parliamentary seat on November 3, accusing the party leadership of abandoning its electoral commitments on Article 370 and other key issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing reporters, Ruhullah said his decision was driven by political principles and his disagreement with the party’s approach towards issues on which it had sought public support during the Assembly elections, including restoration of Article 370, constitutional rights, reservation policy and the release of prisoners.
He said his opposition to the party leadership should not be equated with the discontent among some NC legislators over the distribution of political positions, alleging that several leaders who had earlier advised him against publicly criticising the party were now protesting against its leadership over personal grievances.
“My fight is against the NC’s U-turn on Article 370 and its election promises. It is not for any chair or position. My path is different,” he said.
Ruhullah also opposed any attempt to bring down the elected government through horse-trading, maintaining that the NC-led administration should be allowed to complete its five-year term.
He said legislators should have raised their concerns over substantive issues, including Article 370, reservation and the rights of prisoners, rather than protesting over the allocation of positions.
“If MLAs had to be angry, it should have been for principles, for Article 370, for reservation and for the prisoners. They could have taken out torch marches for these issues, but their protests were for themselves,” he said.
Explaining the decision to relinquish his parliamentary position, Ruhullah said leaving a political party while continuing to represent it through its symbol would raise moral and legal questions.
He also expressed concern over the recent remarks of NC president Farooq Abdullah, questioning the party leadership’s commitment to restoring Article 370.
Referring to Abdullah’s reported statement challenging him to restore the provision if he believed it was possible, Ruhullah said such remarks had raised doubts about the party’s seriousness in pursuing the issue.
He said the difference between the promises made before the elections and the positions taken after assuming power had created confusion, adding that those questioning the leadership were sometimes branded as agents of the BJP.
Ruhullah said neither the party leadership had approached him over the differences nor was he expecting any intervention.
He maintained that political leaders must demonstrate their commitment to the rights and aspirations of Muslims, Kashmiris, people of Jammu, Dogra Hindus and Sikhs through a clear political stand and willingness to make sacrifices.
Underlining the importance of his parliamentary platform, he said his position in Parliament had enabled him to raise Jammu and Kashmir’s concerns at the national level.
He added that he would continue to use that platform if people wanted him to do so, but without compromising on the issues he had consistently raised.
“Even if we have to bear losses for the time being, we will bear them,” he said.
Ruhullah has chosen November 3, the death anniversary of his father, Martyr Aga Syed Mehdi, for the proposed resignation. He is also scheduled to address a public gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam on the day.
His announcement comes amid growing differences within the National Conference over the implementation of its electoral commitments, particularly its position on Article 370, reservation policy and other political issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
