SRINAGAR: Former Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has ruled out reports of a possible alliance with former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Engineer Rashid to form a new political party, saying he has made no such decision.
However, Ruhullah indicated that consultations were under way to work out his future political course following his resignation from the National Conference (NC), while maintaining that his political struggle for the rights of Jammu and Kashmir’s people would continue.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, he declined to disclose details of his plans but said discussions were taking place with people to identify a way forward.
“Ask those who are making these claims. I have not taken any such decision,” he said, responding to speculation about a possible political arrangement with Azad and Engineer Rashid.
Ruhullah said he did not intend to engage in a war of words with the NC leadership over allegations made against him following his departure from the party.
He accused the National Conference of failing to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to it by the people and said there was a need to take the political struggle forward through an alternative course.
“The National Conference was given a responsibility by the people, but it failed to fulfil it. We will have to take responsibility ourselves and find a way forward,” he said.
Indicating that discussions were continuing, he said his future political plans would become clear gradually.
“We are working towards finding a way forward and are talking to the right people,” he added.
Ruhullah asserted that leaving the National Conference would not mean abandoning the struggle for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will fight our legitimate battle, the battle for our rights. The organisation that was given an opportunity betrayed the people once again. But that does not mean the people will give up this struggle. We will continue to fight for our rights, InshaAllah,” he said.
Ruhullah resigned from the Lok Sabha and the National Conference on November 3, ending his 24-year association with the party. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla accepted his parliamentary resignation with effect from the same date.
He announced his decision at a public rally in Budgam held on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Shia cleric-politician Aga Syed Mehdi.
During the rally, Ruhullah launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah, accusing the party leadership of betraying the public mandate and abandoning its electoral commitments, particularly those concerning the restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights. He described his departure as a “decree of freedom” from what he termed a “deceitful, corrupt organisation”.
