Say Public Concerns Ignored as Leadership Focuses on BJP Narrative

Srinagar, Oct 26 (JKNS): The cracks within the National Conference (NC) widened on Sunday as senior party leaders and Members of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi publicly questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s leadership, accusing the government of ignoring people’s issues and failing to deliver on key promises.

Speaking at the 4th Halla Bolle Conclave at Radisson Collection, Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, both MPs voiced discontent over what they described as a “lack of political direction and administrative stagnation” since the formation of the new government.

Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi said no meaningful political or administrative progress had been achieved so far.

“There have been no positive steps on political issues in J&K since this government took charge,” he said, urging the Chief Minister to “introspect and focus on governance rather than rhetoric.”

He warned that Kashmir’s political leadership had become preoccupied with debates over who aligns with or opposes the BJP, while core public issues unemployment, recruitment, and welfare remain ignored.

“Thousands of educated youth, including postgraduates and PhD holders, are growing hopeless as no recruitment process has been initiated. This should have been the government’s first priority,” Larvi said.

He also advised the Chief Minister to speak “thoughtfully and with understanding” on sensitive matters like smart meters and public grievances.

Backing Ruhullah amid recent intra-party criticism, Larvi added, “Everyone knows who Aga Ruhullah is. Anyone speaking against him will not harm his credibility.”

In a sharp counterpoint to the Chief Minister’s recent remarks, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi termed Omar Abdullah’s statement. “I’m not afraid of the people” as “shocking and undemocratic.”

“These are the people who elected him, yet he is going against them instead of working for their betterment,” Ruhullah said.

He accused the government of compromising on its 2024 election promises, saying the NC had pledged to restore people’s rights but was now limiting its fight “only to statehood.”

“Before elections, we accused others of siding with the BJP and supporting the August 5 decision, but now NC is following the same path,” he added.

Ruhullah said the reservation issue should have been a government priority but was being mishandled, warning that the party’s credibility was at stake.

“‘I’m not afraid of anyone’ — the Chief Minister should have said that to Delhi, not to the people of Kashmir who trusted him,” he remarked.

He also criticised the NC government for its “U-turn” on governance issues.

“Last year, we told people we would remove smart meters, but now, in power, we are supporting them too,” he said.