MP Accuses National Conference Leadership of Backtracking on Election Commitments; Rules Out Horse-Trading, Calls for NC Government to Complete Full Five-Year Term
Srinagar, October 31 :
National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday announced that he would resign on November 3, the martyrdom anniversary of his father, asserting that his political struggle is driven by principles and public commitments rather than any desire for a position or political authority.
Addressing reporters, Ruhullah said his opposition was primarily directed against what he described as the National Conference’s reversal of its electoral commitments, particularly concerning Article 370, constitutional rights, reservation policy, the release of prisoners and other issues raised during the election campaign.
Clarifying his position amid the recent developments within the National Conference, the MP maintained that his disagreement with the party leadership should not be confused with the resentment expressed by certain party legislators over the distribution of political positions.
He alleged that some leaders who had earlier advised him against speaking publicly against the party were now organising protests and raising slogans against their own leadership because of personal grievances over the allocation of positions.
“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 made it clear that he was opposed to any attempt to destabilise the elected government through horse-trading, stressing that the National Conference-led government should be allowed to complete its full five-year term.
He said political disagreements should be raised on substantive public issues, including Article 370, reservation, prisoners’ rights and unfulfilled election commitments, rather than personal interests.
“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 remarked.
Explaining his decision to resign, Ruhullah said that once a person decides to separate from a political party, it is morally and legally appropriate to relinquish the party symbol as well.
Referring to the recent remarks made by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, Ruhullah expressed concern over what he described as a lack of clarity in the party leadership’s position on the restoration of Article 370.
He questioned the party’s commitment to the issue, referring to Farooq Abdullah’s reported statement that if he believed Article 370 could be restored, he should go ahead and bring it back.
Ruhullah said such remarks had raised serious questions about whether the party leadership remained committed to pursuing the restoration of Article 370.
He said the contradiction between the promises made during elections and the statements issued after assuming power had created confusion, adding that those raising questions about the party’s commitments were sometimes labelled as agents of the BJP.
The MP further maintained that neither had the party leadership approached him regarding the ongoing differences nor was he expecting any such approach.
He reiterated that his demand was for political leadership to demonstrate commitment through sacrifices and a clear stand on the rights and aspirations of Muslims, Kashmiris, people of Jammu, Dogra Hindus and Sikhs.
Highlighting the importance of parliamentary representation, Ruhullah said his position in Parliament had provided him with an important platform to raise issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir and highlight public grievances at the national level.
He added that if people wanted him to continue using that platform, he would do so with a clear political position, without confusion or compromise over the issues he had raised.
“Even if we have to bear losses for the time being, we will bear them,” he said.
Ruhullah’s announcement comes amid reported differences within the National Conference over the party’s electoral commitments, its approach towards Article 370 and other political and administrative issues.
His proposed November 3 resignation is expected to mark a significant development in the ongoing political debate surrounding the National Conference’s commitments and its position on key issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)