5 days ago
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi Resigns Over NC’s Article 370 Rift
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi is a lawmaker from Srinagar.
He says he will leave both his parliamentary seat and the National Conference party.
He is unhappy because the party promised to work for the return of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
That promise included restoring Article 370 and Article 35A.
Mehdi says the party changed its position after winning elections.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah challenged him to resign and seek voters’ support again.
Mehdi accepted the challenge and plans to submit his resignation on November 3.
He may run again as an independent candidate.
He also wants to keep campaigning for Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights.
Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi announced plans to resign from Parliament and the National Conference.
He plans to submit his resignation on November 3, his father Aga Syed Mehdi’s 26th death anniversary.
Mehdi says the NC broke its election promise to pursue restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
His dispute includes criticism of Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the party’s changed position.
Mehdi may contest the resulting Srinagar by-election as an independent candidate after consulting voters.
- Who
- Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, Srinagar’s National Conference MP, and the party leadership, including Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah.
- What
- Mehdi announced plans to resign from the Lok Sabha and the National Conference, citing ideological differences.
- Where
- The resignation announcement and planned rally are connected to Srinagar and Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
- When
- He plans to formally submit the resignation on November 3.
- Why
- Mehdi says the National Conference reneged on its election promise to pursue restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, special status, and statehood.
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s Position
National Conference Leadership’s Position
Election promises and Article 370
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s Position
Mehdi says the National Conference won elections after promising to pursue restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, then abandoned that commitment.
National Conference Leadership’s Position
The party leadership has argued that the Bharatiya Janata Party, which abrogated Article 370, will not restore it; Mehdi says this explanation amounts to an excuse.
Political priorities
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s Position
Mehdi says accepting statehood as the limit of political aspirations could legitimize the 2019 constitutional changes and weaken protections for Jammu and Kashmir’s land, culture, and environment.
National Conference Leadership’s Position
Mehdi says the party’s current position has become indistinguishable from that of the Bharatiya Janata Party, while the leadership has objected to his public criticism of its approach.
Fresh electoral mandate
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s Position
Mehdi accepted Farooq Abdullah’s challenge and plans to resign, potentially seeking re-election as an independent.
National Conference Leadership’s Position
Farooq Abdullah challenged Mehdi to resign and return to voters to test whether his victory reflected personal credibility or the National Conference’s mandate.
Key facts
- Parliamentary seat
- Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency
- Planned resignation date
- November 3
- Party
- National Conference
- Main dispute
- The party’s alleged retreat from its promise to pursue restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status
- Planned public event
- A rally in Budgam, Mehdi’s stronghold, where he plans to release his resignation letter and reasons
- Possible next step
- Mehdi may contest the Srinagar by-election as an independent candidate
- Additional commitments
- He said he must disburse MPLADS funds and has invited MPs to a Srinagar conference on constitutional rights
Quotes
Aga Ruhullah Mehdi
National Conference leader and Srinagar Lok Sabha MP
“Yes, I am resigning from the party and as Srinagar MP. I have a few commitments before I formally submit my resignation. I have to disburse funds under MPLADS (Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme). I have also invited some MPs for a conference in Srinagar as part of my efforts to fight for restoration of J&K's constitutional rights.”
livemint.com
NDTV
“The uncomfortable truth is that we are not even 'begging' for Article 370; we are 'begging' for statehood – a right the Supreme Court itself has recognised.”
livemint.com
Sources
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