Budgam: The National Conference (NC) received a major setback on Tuesday as Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi resigned from the party and parliament, accusing party leadership and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of compromising with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Mehdi made the announcement while addressing a public meeting on his late father’s death anniversary at Behisht-e-Zehra park in Budgam.
He said that party leadership has not delivered on its promises made in the manifesto issued for the 2024 election, including restoring Article 370 and Article 35A in the Union Territory.
“It is not an easy task, but I am ready to do it. I am taking the responsibilty as it is the only solution to this,” he said.
“Those who have won the chair by taking off their caps and putting it at the feet of the electorate, let them come to see what is real love and respect.”
“I respect no one else, I only bow my head and put my cap and turban at the feet of Almighty Allah. I hope I never have to put my cap at anyone’s feet,” he said.
But he said that normally people become upset when they lose a position, but he was willing to relinquish his seat.
Mehdi Accuses NC Leadership of Breaking Election Promises
Mehdi has been a prominent critic of the NC leadership’s stance on re-instating Jammu and Kashmir’s special status following the Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370 in August 2019.
He has often accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of going back on the party’s promises made in the manifesto for the 2024 election and has accused the government of prioritising statehood over Article 370.
His disagreements with the party leadership have grown due to the party’s stance on Article 370, how it deals with the BJP and implementing the party’s manifesto.
The move also sees Mehdi part ways with his almost 24-year long association with the National Conference.
Three-Time MLA from Budgam, Wins Lok Sabha Seat from Srinagar in 2024
Mehdi has been an MLA from Budgam Assembly constituency for three terms and was elected as a Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar in the 2024 general elections.
He won against PDP candidate Waheed Para by a margin of over 1.8 lakh votes.
The decision to quit the party and relinquish his parliamentary seat comes as a major blow to the NC which is already struggling with internal divisions.
Many of his supporters have praised the move, saying that Mehdi is an honest leader who has stood up for what he believes in.
Whether Mehdi will form a new party or join another remains to be seen. His resignation as a Lok Sabha MP will officially become effective once his resignation is accepted by the Speaker.