Srinagar, Aug 16: Srinagar MP and senior National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has said he has made up his mind to resign from the party, accusing its leadership of abandoning its earlier position on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights.
In a conversation with The Decifer, Mehdi said he had “made my mind for resignation” as he felt the National Conference was “not changing anything”. He said he would elaborate on his decision after further deliberation.
Mehdi’s differences with the NC leadership have increasingly come into the open, particularly over the party’s focus on the restoration of statehood.
Since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and Jammu and Kashmir’s subsequent conversion into a Union Territory, Mehdi has consistently advocated the restoration of the region’s special status and constitutional protections. However, he has criticised what he describes as the party’s growing focus on statehood rather than its earlier demand for the restoration of Article 370-related safeguards.
“The rights that were snatched from us, the protections, the constitutional guarantees which were given to us through Article 370 and were snatched from us is our objective and we will fight for that,” Mehdi said.
He also warned that accepting statehood without restoration of Article 370 could create a “fait accompli”, drawing a parallel with the 1975 accord, which he said resulted in the larger demand for restoration of the pre-1953 position being abandoned after an immediate political settlement.
Mehdi maintained that his position was consistent with the National Conference’s manifesto and commitments made to the people.
“Then, it means that I am not the one who is going against the party,” he said, arguing that those compromising on the policies promised to the people were instead responsible for betraying the party.
He said questions should be directed at those changing the party’s stated position rather than at those seeking accountability from its leadership.
The rift has become more pronounced after the National Conference secured a majority in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections and returned to power, with Mehdi repeatedly questioning the government’s approach towards statehood restoration and implementation of its manifesto commitments.
In an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, Mehdi had indicated that his association with the party could be nearing an end, saying he needed “a little more time” to assess certain issues before taking a final decision on resignation.
Mehdi has described his differences with the party as arising from what he perceives as a betrayal of the people’s trust and the need for greater accountability within the organisation.
“It is a path of betraying people’s trust and of course someone who brings accountability to the table is unwanted in that situation,” he told Hindustan Times, reiterating his position that the party leadership must be questioned over its commitments to the people.
