Srinagar, Nov 3 (JKNS): Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, on Tuesday resigned from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, accusing the party of abandoning the struggle for restoration of rights following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019.
In a resignation letter addressed to NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah and dated November 3, 2026, as per news agency JKNS, Ruhullah said the party had failed to fulfil the expectations of people who had given it a massive mandate in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Recalling the political developments following the abrogation of Article 370, Ruhullah said the situation had presented an opportunity to reclaim political space and rights, which required sustained struggle, sacrifices and commitment. He said he had considered the National Conference the natural choice to lead such a struggle and had aligned himself more vigorously with the party after receiving assurances from its leadership.
He said he had campaigned extensively during the 2024 Assembly elections but did not claim credit for the party’s electoral performance, adding that he had done his best while people had reposed their anger and expectations in the NC through a massive mandate.
“All I will say is I did my best. The people poured their anger and expectations on NC with a massive mandate. But the electoral arena had not yet cooled down, the NC did an about turn,” he wrote.
Ruhullah said what hurt him most was that, at a time when determined leadership was required to carry forward the struggle for people’s rights, the NC “abdicated the space for mere governmentality” and a “vain and vague promise” of restoration of statehood.
He further said his political relationship with the party leadership came under strain after he raised these concerns with Farooq Abdullah, alleging that the party subsequently aligned itself with a position of “total and absolute abdication.”
Expressing concern over the political and social transitions underway in Jammu and Kashmir, Ruhullah said depoliticisation and the abandonment of political struggle at this critical juncture could further weaken the identity and rights of the people.
“I cannot and will not be party to this. My conscience and ethics determined politics will not allow this,” he wrote.
While thanking Farooq Abdullah for their political journey together, Ruhullah formally tendered his resignation from the party, saying he would continue to find ways to serve the people with the help of Allah.
“I will stick to principles and not expedience that my faith, values and ancestral guidance inspire,” he said in the letter.
Earlier in the day, Ruhullah had announced his decision to resign from the National Conference during a rally in Budgam held on the martyrdom anniversary of his father, late Aga Syed Mehdi. (JKNS)