Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Srinagar MP Ruhullah Challenges National Conference Over Statehood
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi is a leader from the National Conference party.
He disagrees with how the party is asking for statehood for Jammu-Kashmir.
He says the party’s position now sounds like the position of the BJP.
Ruhullah wrote directly to party president Farooq Abdullah.
He also shared the letter on social media.
He referred to something Abdullah said about people needing to stand on their own feet.
Ruhullah said people should be able to ask strong questions instead of seeming to beg.
The disagreement shows a continuing argument inside the party.
Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi publicly challenged National Conference leadership over its position on statehood.
Ruhullah said the party’s current demand for statehood is “no different” from the BJP’s.
He sent his first direct communication to party president Farooq Abdullah and released it on social media.
Ruhullah referred to Abdullah’s August 25 comments about standing independently rather than remaining dependent.
He said many people in Jammu-Kashmir are frustrated by having to appear supplicant while seeking statehood.
- Who
- Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi challenged National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and the party leadership.
- What
- Ruhullah criticised the party’s position on statehood, saying it is now no different from the BJP’s.
- When
- Ruhullah made the challenge on Friday; he referred to Abdullah’s remarks made on August 25.
- Where
- The disagreement concerns Jammu-Kashmir; Abdullah’s cited remarks were made in Srinagar, and Ruhullah released his letter on social media.
- Why
- Ruhullah said he objected to what he viewed as a submissive approach toward the BJP while seeking statehood.
Ruhullah’s criticism
Abdullah and party leadership
Approach to statehood
Ruhullah’s criticism
Ruhullah argues that asking for statehood in a submissive manner is unacceptable and says the party’s position resembles the BJP’s.
Abdullah and party leadership
Farooq Abdullah’s cited remarks called for standing independently, but the article does not provide a detailed response to Ruhullah’s criticism.
Internal party disagreement
Ruhullah’s criticism
Ruhullah has criticised the National Conference’s stance on statehood and Article 370 for more than a year and is now directly challenging its president.
Abdullah and party leadership
The party leadership remains the target of Ruhullah’s criticism; the article does not report a separate leadership response.
- Party
- National Conference
- Challenger
- Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, the party’s Srinagar MP
- Party president
- Farooq Abdullah
- Main issue
- The party’s position on statehood and Article 370
- Ruhullah’s comparison
- He said the party’s statehood position is no different from the BJP’s.
- Communication
- Ruhullah sent a letter to Farooq Abdullah and released it via social media.
- Referenced remarks
- Abdullah said on August 25 that people must eventually stand on their own feet.