Srinagar, Aug 24 :
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah has publicly rebuked party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi over his recent political positions, telling the Lok Sabha member that if he believes Article 370 can be restored, he should raise the issue in Parliament instead of pursuing what Farooq described as the “wrong path.”
Speaking to media, Farooq said nobody had stopped Ruhullah from speaking about Article 370, but questioned the manner in which the MP was pursuing his political positions.
“If Ruhullah believes Article 370 can return, let him raise it in Parliament,” Farooq said.
He also challenged Ruhullah’s assertion that his Lok Sabha victory was based on his own support, asking him to resign as an MP and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate.
“Resign from Parliament and come back to the people. Let us see who votes for you,” Farooq said.
The NC president also stressed the importance of loyalty to the party and its workers, particularly after the party takes a decision during an election.
Referring to the Budgam election, Farooq questioned whether party workers could have been expected to go against the candidate officially fielded by the National Conference.
On reports of growing differences within the National Conference and a possible internal revolt, Farooq said differences existed in every political party and should not be treated as unusual.
He also underlined the distinction between the party organisation and the government, saying that as NC president he should not interfere excessively in the functioning of the government.
Farooq invoked the sacrifices made by generations of National Conference workers and leaders, saying the party had survived because of the loyalty and sacrifices of its grassroots cadre.
Asked about Ruhullah’s political future, Farooq advised him to look towards the Quran for the right path and reiterated his view that the MP was currently moving in the wrong direction.
The remarks come amid increasingly public differences between the NC leadership and Ruhullah, who has in recent past questioned aspects of the government’s functioning and taken positions on issues including reservation, electricity tariffs and the role of the United States in Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]