*”‘We Will Set Our Own Terms’: Aga Ruhullah Quits NC, Gives Up Lok Sabha Seat, Calls for New Political Movement; Says Budgam Gathering Exceeded Expectations”*
*Accuses National Conference of betraying 2024 public mandate, compromising on Article 370 and people’s dignity for power; appeals to youth across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to join a principled political struggle*
Budgam, Nov 03 (JKNS): In a significant political development in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his decision to sever ties with the National Conference (NC) and resign from the Lok Sabha, while calling for the formation of a new political movement based on principles, accountability and the protection of people’s political and constitutional rights.
Addressing a large gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park in Budgam, as per news agency JKNS, Ruhullah launched a sharp attack on the NC leadership, accusing it of abandoning the struggle for restoration of Article 370 and betraying the mandate given by people in the 2024 Assembly elections, asserting that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would no longer allow their political agenda to be dictated by the Centre.
The announcement came during a public gathering organised on the martyrdom anniversary of his father, late Aga Syed Mehdi. Ruhullah told the gathering that his decision to leave the party and Parliament was not driven by personal grievances, political ambitions or disappointment over not being offered any position, but by what he described as a fundamental disagreement with the NC leadership over its approach towards the political and constitutional rights of Jammu and Kashmir.
Declaring that he had resigned from both the National Conference and the Lok Sabha, Ruhullah said he was sending his resignation letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker via email. The Srinagar MP had also submitted a detailed resignation letter to NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah, accusing the party of abandoning the political struggle after securing a massive public mandate in the 2024 Assembly elections.
In his letter, Ruhullah recalled the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August 2019, describing it as a major assault on the rights, political identity and history of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the developments had also presented an opportunity to reclaim political space and rights through sustained struggle, sacrifices and political commitment.
He said he had considered the National Conference, being one of the oldest political parties in Kashmir, the natural organisation to lead such a struggle and had aligned himself more vigorously with the party after receiving assurances from its leadership that it would work towards the restoration of people’s rights.
However, Ruhullah alleged that after the 2024 Assembly elections, the party moved away from the political position on which it had sought public support. He said people had voted for the NC with considerable expectations, but the party leadership failed to carry forward the struggle for rights after coming to power.
“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 in his resignation letter.
He particularly criticised what he described as the party’s preference for government administration over a sustained political struggle, saying that when determined leadership was required to advance the people’s demands, the NC “abdicated the space for mere governmentality” and relied on what he termed a vague promise of restoration of statehood.
Addressing the gathering, Ruhullah also took a direct dig at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, questioning the party leadership’s approach towards the Centre and accusing it of compromising people’s dignity for political convenience.
“People who lose chairs get unhappy, but here we are throwing away a chair and we are happy,” he said, referring to his decision to give up his parliamentary position.
“The chair you are sitting on right now is a source of sadness for both you and us,” he added, in an apparent reference to the Chief Minister.
Ruhullah said that if Omar Abdullah wanted to understand the meaning of public respect and political dignity, he should visit Budgam and witness the gathering. He also said he prayed to Allah that he would never become so dependent on power that he would have to compromise his dignity and self-respect to retain a position.
Taking the issue of Article 370 further, Ruhullah accused the NC leadership of seeking votes on promises concerning the restoration of special constitutional status, statehood and protection of people’s rights, but failing to stand firmly by those commitments after assuming office.
He maintained that his departure from the party was not an attempt to join another political organisation or secure a different political position, but an effort to create an alternative political space where principles would take precedence over power.
“We will decide our agenda and set our own terms. The Centre will not decide our agenda for us,” Ruhullah declared, calling upon people to raise their voices for their political and constitutional rights.
He appealed to honest, educated and committed youth from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to come forward and shoulder responsibility for shaping the political future of the region. He said the proposed movement would not revolve around individuals seeking positions or political offices, but would be built around people genuinely concerned about the difficulties and aspirations of their communities.
“I do not want people who run after chairs. I want honest and committed youth who understand the pain of their people,” he said, urging parents to encourage their children to participate in the political process and work for the betterment of society.
He stressed that the objective was not merely to replace one political party with another, but to develop a principled political alternative capable of representing the aspirations of all three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters at his residence, Ruhullah said the public gathering at Budgam had exceeded his expectations, describing the participation as an expression of people’s voluntary support for principled politics.
He said people had travelled from different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Kupwara, spending their own time and money to attend the gathering.
“People had come from different areas, from Poonch to Kupwara, including Rajouri and Kishtwar. They spent their own money and time to participate. They were not brought by any party or political organisation,” he said.
Ruhullah said the gathering was not organised to celebrate any political achievement, but reflected people’s willingness to stand for principles and demand political accountability. He described the public response as an achievement not only for himself but also for the idea of principled politics.
Asked about the timeline for establishing a new political platform, he said there was no fixed deadline, adding that the process would move forward depending on the availability of people who shared the same principles and commitment.
“There is no fixed timeline. If the right people come forward soon, the process will move quickly. If finding such people takes more time, the process will take that much time,” he said.
He urged both young people and senior citizens to come forward, emphasising that no individual had a monopoly over public leadership and that ordinary citizens could play an important role in building an alternative political movement.
Ruhullah also expressed concern over what he described as the growing depoliticisation of Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the political and social transitions underway in the region required a committed leadership that could defend people’s identity, rights and aspirations.
In his resignation letter, he said he could not remain part of a political arrangement that, in his assessment, had moved away from the struggle for people’s rights.
“I cannot and will not be party to this. My conscience and ethics determined politics will not allow this,” he wrote.
Concluding his letter, Ruhullah thanked Dr Farooq Abdullah for their political journey together but made it clear that he would not continue with the party. He said he would seek Allah’s guidance in finding a new way to serve the people and remain committed to principles rather than political expediency.
Meanwhile, the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat will fall vacant only after the Lok Sabha Speaker formally accepts Ruhullah’s resignation. Any by-election to the constituency will thereafter be conducted in accordance with the applicable legal provisions. (JKNS)
