WAJAHAT SHABIR
Budgam: Ending a bitter stalemate with the National Conference (NC) leadership, Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday resigned from the seat as well as the party shortly after a rally here that the BJP said was held with the “blessings of our people”.
Addressing a gathering at Behist-e-Zehra Park in Budgam on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, the Shia leader launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah, calling his exit a “decree of freedom” from a “deceitful, corrupt organisation”.
However, political observers noted that despite an intense media build-up over his planned exit, the turnout at the Budgam park remained relatively modest compared to his earlier mass political demonstrations, comprising mostly loyalists, family supporters, and curious onlookers.
Reacting to the development, BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav claimed the ruling party was “visibly divided” and suggested that Ruhullah held the rally with the tacit support of opponents.
“I would not like to comment on the matter, but the National Conference is visibly divided today. Ruhullah is holding the rally today with the blessings of our people,” Madhav told reporters in Jammu during a day-long visit.
He maintained that the BJP had no direct involvement in the NC’s internal rift, adding, “Whatever statements our MLAs make are a separate matter. This is entirely an internal matter of the NC, and its leaders are fighting among themselves.”
Launching a sharp counter-offensive against Ruhullah, the National Conference termed his criticism as a manifestation of “moral bankruptcy” and accused him of backstabbing the party that built his political career.
Taking strong exception to his remarks, the party said his speech was “full of derogatory, abusive, and unparliamentary language against the NC leadership”.
“Aga Ruhullah’s decision to resign as MP is too late. He should have done it a year ago when he chose to join the forces rattled by the mandate given to the NC,” the party said, accusing him of playing a role in the party’s defeat in the Budgam assembly by-poll while remaining within its ranks.
Questioning his record in Parliament, the NC asked why the Srinagar MP, who successfully mobilised over 100 parliamentarians from various parties to sign an impeachment motion against an Allahabad High Court judge, failed to initiate a similar effort for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status or statehood.
“Did he even try to move a resolution or a private member’s bill in Parliament regarding special status? Was he not sent to Parliament to represent the sentiment of the people and garner the support of secular parties?” the party questioned.
The NC also pointed out contradictions in Mehdi’s stance on the reservation issue and the 2010 agitation, stating that he remained a cabinet minister until a general reshuffle and fought the 2014 assembly elections on a party ticket without raising objections at the time.
“He only remembered to resign when directed by the party president. He conveniently forgot about 2010 until 16 years later,” the statement said, adding that Mehdi had initially welcomed the assembly resolution demanding the restoration of special status passed on November 6.
Addressing the contentious reservation framework, the party maintained that the rationalisation of quotas was a key election pledge. It highlighted that the NC government had already constituted a cabinet sub-committee and initiated changes, but blamed the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the Centre for stalling the file.
“Did Mr Mehdi raise this issue in Parliament and ask the Centre why they stalled the J&K cabinet’s decision on job reservations? Did he organise a single protest against the LG administration demanding justice for the open merit category during his six months as MP prior to the assembly elections?” the party asked.
Former Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina similarly distanced his party from the fallout but warned of severe political turbulence ahead for the ruling coalition. “We have absolutely nothing to do with the turmoil within the National Conference… Whether its MLAs are raising the banner of rebellion or an MP is resigning, it is their internal matter,” Raina said, adding that “a mountain of troubles” was approaching the NC.
Meanwhile, alliance partner Congress attempted to downplay the crisis, attributing Ruhullah’s departure to personal and ideological friction rather than wider government instability.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra said “he had a different perspective, while the party was moving in a different direction. Perhaps there was also a lack of ideological compatibility”.
Karra expressed confidence that the NC leadership would resolve its internal friction through dialogue while reaffirming the Congress’s commitment to back the ruling coalition.
“We have always maintained that whenever the National Conference faces any threat from the BJP, the Congress party must stand firmly alongside the National Conference,” Karra asserted.
During his 80-minute speech, Ruhullah accused the NC of betraying election vows regarding Article 370, prisoner releases, and public relief. Shortly after the event, he sent his Lok Sabha resignation letter directly to Speaker Om Birla.
In a move seen by observers as a political gimmick, Ruhullah handed his party resignation letter to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of teenager Tufail Mattoo, whose 2010 death sparked widespread protests during Omar Abdullah’s previous tenure as chief minister, asking him to deliver it to Farooq Abdullah.
“This is a charter of freedom. I will not send this [resignation] to Farooq Abdullah. They do not have the standing or worth for me to send it to them. This is a message of freedom from this deceitful, corrupt organisation. I am handing this resignation over to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo Sahab. I request him to forward this resignation with his own hands,” Ruhullah said.
Notably, Ruhullah was a cabinet minister in 2010 and was part of the Omar Abdullah-led government during that time.
Ruhullah hinted at launching a broader political movement across Jammu and Kashmir rather than immediately forming a new political outfit.
In his two-page resignation letter to Abdullah, Ruhullah said the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 was “paradoxically an opportunity” to reclaim politics, political space and rights but it needed a struggle, sacrifices and prices to be paid.
“My working assumption then was that the National Conference, the grand old party of Kashmir, was the natural candidate for the struggle that the situation demanded,” he said.
Ruhullah said he campaigned for the National Conference in assembly elections vigorously and people also poured their anger in the form of a massive mandate to the party.
About his future plans, Ruhullah said that while some people wanted him to form a new political party, he was more interested in launching a movement for the restoration of dignity and respect for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ruhullah hints at new political outfit
Budgam: Srinagar Lok Sabha member Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his resignation from the National Conference, accusing its leadership of abandoning key election promises including the restoration of Article 370, at a rally here marking the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi.
Although Ruhullah did not mention resigning from Parliament in his speech, he told PTI that he would send his resignation to the Lok Sabha Speaker later on Tuesday.
Ruhullah, who was elected to the Lok Sabha on an NC ticket in 2024, hinted at forming a new political outfit in Jammu and Kashmir during an 80-minute speech to his supporters.
In a show of strength, the influential Shia leader lashed out at NC president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing them of abandoning the fight to restore Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Union of India.
He said the party had failed to honour its promises made during the 2024 Assembly elections, including those concerning the restoration of Article 370, the release of prisoners and free electricity.
“All the posturing during elections about restoring Article 370, releasing prisoners, and providing free electricity were just lies. And I cannot continue to be a part of these lies anymore,” the Lok Sabha MP said.
He described his resignation from the party as a “decree of freedom”.
Ruhullah said that while some people wanted him to form a new political party, he was more interested in launching a movement for the restoration of dignity and respect for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We pleaded for support for them (NC) during the 2024 elections and it has turned out to be a mistake. They might have given up but we have not. We will launch a movement where honest and compassionate people come forward to lead the struggle for restoring what has been snatched from us,” he added.
‘Wada kursi se bada hai’: supporters of MP
Budgam: At a corner of Behist-e-Zehra Park in this central Kashmir district, where disgruntled National Conference (NC) MP Ruhullah Mehdi is set to announce his resignation, a nine-year-old boy stands holding a placard in support of the Shia leader, seemingly oblivious to the political significance of the event.
Dayim Raza, a Class 3 student at a private school, holds a placard that reads in Urdu, “Wada kursi se bada hai” (A promise is bigger than a chair).
The slogan reflects the theme around which Mehdi, the Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, has centred his politics. The image of a child carrying a placard and supporting ‘his leader’ signifies what he has achieved, at least in perception, especially on social media — popularity across the board, including those too young to understand the nuances of politics.
The date of Mehdi’s planned announcement holds significance for him and his supporters. His father, Aga Syed Mehdi, was killed in a militant attack on this day in 2000.
Raza, who is on holiday after his annual examinations, travelled from Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar City with his father and grandfather to support what he called a “good leader”.
“Ruhullah is a good leader, he is honest,” Raza said.
Asked what the placard meant, the boy read the words fluently but could not explain their meaning.
“I came with my father and grandfather to lend my support. The school is off, so that was no problem,” he said.
His grandfather, Mohammad Rafeeq, said the boy had accompanied them early in the morning and was enthusiastic about coming to the park.
“He almost didn’t sleep last night. He made the placard and was excited to come here to support an honest man, who makes sense in politics and speaks the truth,” Rafeeq said.
He alleged that successive political parties had failed to fulfil their promises and said he would support anyone he considered honest.
“Whoever is honest, whether it is Aga Ruhullah or anyone else, we will support them. All the parties that have ruled here over the past 70 years have lied. The common people are poor, 70 per cent of the people here are poor. But nobody did anything here,” he said.
Asked whether Mehdi’s decision to resign was justified, Rafeeq said the NC had betrayed the MP’s trust and that of the people.
He alleged that the party had made several promises during the election campaign, including the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, and measures for daily wagers, Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Anganwadi workers, but had failed to deliver on them.
“They only filled their own pockets and did nothing for the people,” he alleged.
As men and children gathered at the park, within walking distance of the main town, slogans in support of the “rebel” MP grew louder.
Locals said the park, built on government land, is also used for prayers on Ashoora, the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram.
Mohammad Shafi, a resident of Magam, the gateway town to the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg, said he supported Mehdi’s decision to resign from the NC, adding that the MP had taken it after considerable thought.
Shafi alleged that the party had not responded to people’s concerns over the past year and had failed to fulfil promises made during the last elections, including providing 200 units of free electricity and one lakh jobs.
“Because of this, he was compelled to take this decision today,” Shafi said, adding that he believed the truth would ultimately prevail.
“No matter how much you lie, you will ultimately have to pay the price for it. Aga Sahab has made a good decision. God willing, we hope that when we, the public, stand with him, stand by the truth — just as he has walked on the path of truth till today and will continue to do so, he will achieve success,” he added.
Hayat Hussain, who travelled from the Sonawari area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, said Mehdi had been a star campaigner for the NC during the 2024 Assembly elections, but the party had overlooked his efforts after coming to power.
“We placed our trust in him and cast our votes. But unfortunately, the National Conference overlooked all his hard work — so how would they remember the hard work of ordinary people?” Hussain said.
He described Mehdi’s planned resignation as a rebuke to the party, saying governance meant winning people’s trust and serving the public.
Hussain said Mehdi had demonstrated that holding office or power was not important to him, and that he placed greater value on people’s work and trust.
“For him, what matters is the people’s work, the people’s trust, and the betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by the National Conference. He has proven through his actions that the chair holds no value to him at all,” he said.
Cong trying to create atmosphere of anarchy: Madhav
Jammu: BJP national vice president Ram Madhav on Tuesday accused the Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi of deliberately spreading false propaganda over the SIR issue as they were unable to challenge the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi through democratic elections.
The Congress, he charged, was attempting to destabilise the country, undermine democratic institutions and create an atmosphere of anarchy to capture political power outside the democratic process.
However, the people of the country would never allow the Congress and its allies to succeed, he asserted.
Addressing a press conference here, Madhav claimed that the Congress’s objective was no longer confined to electoral politics but involved creating instability and distrust in constitutional institutions to bring about a change of government.
The Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi were deliberately spreading “false propaganda” over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls because they were unable to challenge the BJP and Prime Minister Modi through democratic elections, he said.
“Congress’s objective today is not to come to power through democratic means or by contesting elections. Instead, it is attempting to create disorder in the country, undermine public confidence in our democratic institutions and use unrest as a means to capture power,” the BJP leader alleged.
Taking serious exception to references to regime change by opposition leaders, Madhav claimed the Congress was looking towards political developments in Bangladesh and Nepal as models for bringing about a change of government in the country.
“When they talk about regime change, they are not referring to democratic regime change. Their own leaders are openly talking on television and social media about bringing regime change like Bangladesh and Nepal. Their intentions are clear,” he said.
He alleged that the Congress, unable to defeat the BJP and Modi through elections, was resorting to misinformation and attempts to manufacture political unrest.
“The people of this country will never allow the Congress Party, with its mindset of creating anarchy, to fulfil its objectives,” he said.
Referring to the Congress-led protest in Delhi, he said, “If the Congress brings together 50,000 people to spread false propaganda, we will reach five lakh villages and inform 100 crore voters about the truth.”
Madhav also accused the Congress of deliberately attempting to discredit India’s democratic system, which he said had earned international recognition as the world’s largest democracy over nearly eight decades of independence.
Defending the electoral roll revision exercise, Madhav described SIR as a constitutional process intended to remove discrepancies, including the names of deceased voters, people who had shifted residence, duplicate entries, individuals who could not be traced at their registered addresses and illegally settled infiltrators.
He said the Election Commission had already filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, presenting the details of the exercise and responding to allegations concerning the revision process.
Questioning the Congress’s claim that approximately 13 crore names had been deleted, Madhav challenged the opposition to produce individuals who could establish that their names had been wrongly removed.
“Despite all the campaigning and propaganda by Congress, the party has not been able to bring even a single person onto a public platform who can stand up and say, ‘My vote has been deleted’,” he claimed.
He pointed out that nearly 90 lakh people die in India every year, arguing that periodic revision of electoral rolls was necessary to remove the names of deceased individuals and maintain accurate voter records.
Madhav also alleged that Congress was using the SIR controversy to conceal its own political failures and create suspicion about the Election Commission.
The SIR exercise had been completed in several states, while it remained pending in other states and UTs, including Jammu and Kashmir, he said, adding the exercise was being conducted through a constitutionally established mechanism.
He said any genuine grievances or discrepancies could be addressed through the Election Commission’s prescribed procedures.
“Every allegation being levelled by Congress against the SIR process is false. The process currently underway is intended to clean up electoral rolls and rectify irregularities through a constitutionally established procedure,” he said.
Madhav also accused the Congress of using misinformation to weaken public confidence in the country’s electoral institutions and democratic framework, asserting that the BJP would counter the misinformation campaign nationwide.
