Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his decision to sever ties with the National Conference (NC) and resign from the Lok Sabha, bringing an end to his nearly 24-year association with the party.
Addressing a gathering at Behishti Zehra Park in Budgam, organised to mark the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, Ruhullah accused the NC leadership of abandoning its electoral commitments and betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said his decision was driven by ideological differences with the party leadership, particularly over the restoration of Article 370, protection of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights, reservation-related concerns and the release of political prisoners.
Ruhullah also launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of failing to address the concerns of daily wagers, students and young people facing incarceration.
Ruhullah Accuses Omar Abdullah of Breaking Election Promises
Ruhullah alleged that Omar Abdullah had failed to stand up for groups that had approached him to raise their concerns, including daily wagers seeking regularisation and students demanding a resolution to the reservation issue.
“Daily wagers told you to speak to us, but you said, ‘I am not afraid of anybody’. Students approached you to resolve the reservation issue, but your response was, ‘Don’t threaten me. I am not afraid’,” he said.
He also accused the Chief Minister of failing to raise the issue of young people lodged in jails.
“You were supposed to speak about the jailed youth, but instead you went to the Union Home Minister for your own work, to get your advisor’s file approved,” Ruhullah alleged.
The Srinagar MP further accused Omar Abdullah of forgetting promises made during the Assembly election campaign, including the commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity.
“You have forgotten the cap you placed before the people to seek votes. You have forgotten the promise of 200 units of electricity. Your focus is now on getting vehicles,” he said.
In a personal attack on the Chief Minister, Ruhullah said, “Dr Farooq Abdullah, your son is ‘beqaarat’ (unworthy), not the Kashmiri qaum.”
Accusing Omar Abdullah of betraying both voters and political supporters, he added: “You betrayed the people, you betrayed me, you betrayed everybody. You used me.”
Ruhullah recalled campaigning for the NC during the Assembly elections and said he had urged party legislators to recognise the support he enjoyed among young voters.
“I used to tell every MLA during the election campaign that if the youth in your constituency respects me, why should they not respect you?” he said.
He alleged that young people who were now demanding accountability were not being given an opportunity to be heard. Ruhullah warned that voters would eventually reject the Chief Minister.
“This qaum will throw him out in such a way that he will never return as Chief Minister,” he said.
Says Exit Is Not Linked to Cabinet Reshuffle
Ruhullah said his decision to leave the party was not prompted by the recent Cabinet reshuffle or dissatisfaction over ministerial positions.
He accused the NC of failing to honour the mandate it received in the 2024 Assembly elections, particularly its commitments concerning Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and constitutional rights.
At the same time, he said he did not want his departure to create political instability or encourage horse-trading. He called for the Omar Abdullah-led government to be allowed to complete its five-year term.
Ruhullah’s Political Journey and Lok Sabha Resignation
Ruhullah’s departure ends an association with the NC that lasted nearly 24 years. He was elected MLA from Budgam three times before winning the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections by a margin of around 1.88 lakh votes.
His resignation from the Lok Sabha will require formal acceptance by the Speaker before the Srinagar parliamentary constituency is officially declared vacant. A by-election would then be required to fill the seat.
NC Faces Internal Dissent After Cabinet Reshuffle
Ruhullah’s announcement comes amid reports of growing discontent within the ruling National Conference following the Cabinet reshuffle on October 27.
Four new ministers, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous and Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani, were inducted into the government at a ceremony administered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan. The appointments brought the Council of Ministers to its maximum permitted strength of nine.
Reports have also emerged of disgruntled NC legislators demanding changes to the Cabinet. According to media reports, around 25 legislators gave the party leadership 14 days to address their concerns and warned that they could approach Raj Bhavan or withdraw support from the government.
The dissident legislators reportedly sought the removal of sitting ministers and the Chief Minister’s adviser, as well as a new Council of Ministers selected through a transparent process.
The NC has played down reports of a rebellion, describing meetings among legislators as routine and denying that they indicated a split within the party.
BJP leader Ravinder Raina described Ruhullah’s resignation as a major setback for the National Conference, pointing to his three terms as an MLA and his earlier role as a minister.
