SRINAGAR: National Conference (NC) MLA Salman Ali Sagar on Wednesday accused the BJP of orchestrating what he described as ‘Operation Lotus’ to push Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi out of the party, but maintained that his departure would have no impact on the NC’s strength.
Addressing a joint press conference with Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen at the party headquarters, Nawai Subah, Sagar said Ruhullah was entitled to question the leadership and express dissent, but argued that his grievances should have been addressed through the party’s internal mechanisms.
“I feel the BJP has succeeded in its Operation Lotus, particularly in pushing Aga Ruhullah Sahib out of the National Conference,” Sagar said.
He alleged that the BJP had long been attempting to weaken the NC and claimed that the latest developments had served its political interests in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the developments surrounding Ruhullah’s decision should be viewed in the wider context of the BJP’s political ambitions in the region.
Describing the MP’s departure as unfortunate for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Sagar said the NC was a democratic organisation where members were free to express their views, question decisions and exercise independent judgement.
However, he criticised the language Ruhullah had used against the party leadership, terming it unfortunate.
Sagar also questioned Ruhullah’s engagement with the organisation, claiming that the MP had not regularly visited the party headquarters or participated in its meetings. He said Ruhullah should have consulted party MLAs and other stakeholders before taking such a significant step.
He maintained that differences within the party could have been resolved through dialogue and questioned whether sufficient efforts had been made to communicate with elected representatives before the decision was taken.
Rejecting suggestions that the episode reflected a crisis within the NC, Sagar said the party’s strength came from its collective leadership and public mandate rather than any single individual.
He said people had voted the NC to power to prevent the political disempowerment of a community, not to place their trust in one particular leader.
Referring to Articles 370 and 35A, Sagar said the party’s position on the constitutional provisions remained unchanged and should not be confused with its differences with an individual leader.
He added that claims about political influence and public support would eventually be tested through elections, saying no individual could claim exclusive representation of the people.
Sagar also invoked the NC’s historical legacy, arguing that the sacrifices of martyrs should not be brought into political disputes. He questioned Ruhullah’s efforts to remember and honour martyrs, including those associated with July 13.
Suggesting that an ego clash might have contributed to the differences, the NC MLA said further details about the circumstances behind the developments would emerge in the coming days.
