1 week ago
NC Rift Widens as Ruhullah Weighs Abdullah’s Resignation Demand
A disagreement is growing inside the National Conference, a political party in Jammu and Kashmir.
MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi says the party has moved away from its promise to fight for the restoration of Article 370.
Party president Farooq Abdullah asked him to resign and let voters decide whether to elect him again.
Ruhullah said he would answer the request within a few days.
He believes his election victory reflected the people’s support for him and his views.
Abdullah says party workers, organisation and discipline also helped him win.
The two sides disagree about whether the party should prioritise restoring constitutional powers or focus on statehood and everyday government.
Ruhullah has said he may resign after taking his campaign further.
He also said justice for Kashmiri Pandits should not be used as revenge.
Farooq Abdullah challenged NC MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi to resign and seek a fresh Lok Sabha mandate.
Ruhullah said he would respond within a few days and would not dismiss Abdullah’s request lightly.
Ruhullah says the NC has abandoned its post-2019 commitment to restore Article 370 and shifted toward statehood and routine governance.
Abdullah argues that NC candidates benefit from the party’s organisation, workers and discipline, while public dissent undermines collective responsibility.
Ruhullah has considered resigning after advancing his constitutional campaign but remains open to reconciliation if Abdullah intervenes meaningfully.
- Who
- Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and the National Conference leadership.
- What
- An internal NC dispute has intensified over Ruhullah’s criticism of the party, his 2024 election mandate and a possible resignation from Parliament.
- Where
- The dispute is unfolding within the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, with Ruhullah representing Srinagar.
- When
- Ruhullah’s latest response came on Tuesday, after Abdullah’s challenge; the articles also refer to developments through mid-August 2026.
- Why
- Ruhullah says the NC has retreated from its commitment to restore Article 370, while the leadership stresses organisational discipline, collective responsibility, governance and statehood.
Ruhullah’s Position
NC Leadership’s Position
The party’s political direction
Ruhullah’s Position
Ruhullah says the NC abandoned its post-2019 commitment to fight for Article 370’s restoration and shifted toward a softer, statehood-focused agenda and routine governance.
NC Leadership’s Position
The leadership is presented as favouring organisational continuity, governance and incremental gains such as statehood rather than Ruhullah’s constitutional campaign.
Source of Ruhullah’s mandate
Ruhullah’s Position
Ruhullah argues that his 2024 victory reflected his personal credibility and the people’s mandate, rather than only the party’s support.
NC Leadership’s Position
Farooq Abdullah says NC candidates benefit from the party’s organisational machinery, workers, discipline and collective support.
Dissent and resignation
Ruhullah’s Position
Ruhullah says questioning the leadership is legitimate when the party departs from its manifesto. He has considered resigning after advancing the constitutional campaign and has asked the leadership to issue a formal show-cause notice if he breached discipline.
NC Leadership’s Position
Farooq Abdullah and other NC functionaries say public dissent by someone elected on the party ticket weakens collective responsibility and party discipline.
Key facts
- Central figure
- Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the National Conference MP from Srinagar.
- Abdullah’s challenge
- Farooq Abdullah asked Ruhullah to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate.
- Election referenced
- Ruhullah’s 2024 Lok Sabha victory.
- Core policy dispute
- Whether the NC should prioritise restoration of Article 370 or focus on statehood and governance.
- Possible resignation
- Ruhullah has said he may resign after advancing his campaign for constitutional restoration.
- Party exclusion
- Ruhullah was excluded from a key Working Committee meeting by November 2025, according to the article.
- Kashmiri Pandit cases
- Ruhullah said justice should be delivered without turning the process into revenge.
Quotes
Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi
National Conference Srinagar MP responding to Farooq Abdullah’s resignation demand
“The dispute reflects a deeper ideological divide within the NC—between those advocating a maximalist push for Article 370’s restoration and those favouring pragmatic governance and incremental gains such as statehood.”
deccanchronicle.com
“It is not possible that Doctor Sahib asks me for something and I don’t give it to him. It is not possible that I send him back empty-handed. I will give an answer in a few days.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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