BUDGAM: Tensions within the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir reached a boiling point on Saturday as Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced that he will resign from his parliamentary seat and the party on November 3. The announcement comes as Mehdi alleges JKNC of failing to fulfil or even act upon their poll promises, pushing the escalating tensions within the party out in the open amid speculation of a rift.
He will address the people on the death anniversary of Aga Syed Mehdi at Behshit-e-Zehra Park, Budgam, on November 3, where he will formally act upon his resignation annoucement. Mehdi has also rejected any speculation of him being part of ‘horse-trading’ of political leaders, saying that he is taking a principled stand against how poll promises have remained unfulfilled, especially on restoration of Article 370, release of certain prisoners, and ensuring people’s rights.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “November 3rd marks the death anniversary of my late father, and on that very day, the resignation that was previously announced will be carried out. Please do not associate me with any potential ‘horse-trading’ that might occur within the National Conference. I neither desire nor support horse-trading. My struggle is based on principles. It stems from the fact that the promises and assurances the National Conference gave to the people during the elections have not been fulfilled or acted upon. I have not been deprived of any position; I harbour no personal grievance over failing to secure a specific post or office.”
In a statement issued by his office, Mehdi launched a scathing attack on the party leadership, accusing it of treating Jammu and Kashmir as a family estate. The statement accused the party of betraying the promises on which it sought power.
“The crown prince and his cabal treat J&K as an estate passed down through the family. They expect the people to vote, then know their place. They take us for fools who cannot tell a broken promise from a political necessity. Ask them to honour their own manifesto, and they lecture us on how little we understand realpolitik. We demanded the restoration of Article 370, the release of prisoners and the protection of our rights. They sought power on those promises, then treated us as fools for expecting them to deliver. We refuse to lend our name to this humiliation. There is no fixing this rot from within,” the statement said.
On resigning the Lok Sabha seat, the statement said it was won on a promise to the people. “Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi will surrender it rather than make himself an accomplice to that promise’s betrayal,” it said.
