Targets NC leadership over Article 370, accuses party of betraying public mandate; appeals to youth to join political struggle for J&K’s rights
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Budgam, Nov 03 :
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced plans to launch a fresh political movement after declaring his decision to quit the National Conference (NC) and resign as Srinagar Member of Parliament, calling on honest and committed youth to come forward and shape the political future of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a large gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam, Ruhullah took a swipe at the NC leadership, particularly Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, calling the party of betraying the public mandate it secured in the 2024 Assembly elections and compromising people’s dignity for the sake of power.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Ruhullah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would have to decide their own political agenda and would not allow it to be dictated by the Centre.
“We will decide our agenda and set our own terms. The Centre will not decide our agenda for us,” he said, asserting that the people must raise their voice for their political and constitutional rights.
Taking a dig at Omar Abdullah, Ruhullah said, “People who lose chairs get unhappy, but here we are throwing away a chair and we are happy.”
“The chair you are sitting on right now is a source of sadness for both you and us,” he added.
He said that if the Chief Minister wanted to understand the meaning of public respect, he should visit Budgam, where people had gathered to express their support.
Ruhullah accused the NC leadership of seeking votes on promises concerning the restoration of Article 370, statehood and protection of constitutional rights, but failing to stand by those commitments after coming to power.
He said his decision to part ways with the NC was not driven by personal differences or denial of any party position, but by what he described as the leadership’s failure to honour commitments made to the people.
On the issue of dignity, Ruhullah said he prayed that he would never become so dependent on power that he had to compromise his self-respect to remain in office. He also criticised what he the Chief Minister’s approach towards the Centre, saying that the interests of the people were being sacrificed for political convenience.
Calling on youth from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to come forward, Ruhullah said he wanted to build a movement around people committed to public causes rather than those seeking political positions.
“I do not want people who run after chairs. I want honest and committed youth who understand the pain of their people,” he said, urging parents to encourage their children to take an active role in shaping the region’s political future.
He said the proposed movement would not be aimed merely at replacing one political party with another, but at creating space for a new generation of leadership committed to public welfare.
Ruhullah also called for greater unity among people across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, saying all three regions must have a voice in deciding their political future.
Earlier, Ruhullah had announced his decision to quit the National Conference and resign as Srinagar MP, citing differences with the party leadership over key political and constitutional issues.
His Lok Sabha seat will fall vacant only after his resignation is formally accepted by the Speaker, following which any by-election will be held in accordance with applicable legal provisions.—(KNO)