Dissent in INDIA bloc, NC MP to quit, MLAs to follow

Dissenting National Conference (NC) legislators are determined to undermine Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s party by pressing their demands, including a fresh Cabinet reshuffle, intensified efforts the restore Statehood and Article 370, and the time-bound implementation of the party’s 2024 election manifesto.

To make matters worse for the top brass of the party, Member of Parliament Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday reiterated that he would resign from the party as well as his Lok Sabha membership on November 3.

In the absence of the Chief Minister in Srinagar, around 18 National Conference legislators assembled on Friday at the residence of Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and listed out several demands before the party high command.

The MLA’s are believed to have forwarded their demands to the party high command for timely redressal. The legislators are also learnt to have pressured the top brass to replace advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and ministers who have completed two years in office.

On the other hand, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said his decision to tender resignation is rooted in principles and the alleged failure of the NC leadership to honour electoral promises made to the people.

Speaking to reporters in Budgam, Ruhullah said he had announced his resignation earlier and would implement it on November 3, the death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi. “A public programme will be organised at Behisht-e-Zehra Park near the DC Office in Budgam,” he said.

Clarifying his position amid speculation about possible attempts to destabilise the elected Government, Ruhullah said he was neither in favour of horse-trading nor did he want to be associated with any such activity.

“The National Conference Government should be allowed to complete its

five-year term, and Governments should not be brought down through horse-trading,” the MP said.

He said his disagreement with the party leadership was based on promises made during the elections, particularly regarding the restoration of Article 370, constitutional rights, reservation issues and the release of prisoners. “There is no personal grievance over not getting any position or chair. My fight is based on principles and the promises made by the National Conference to the people during elections,” he said.

Ruhullah also referred to remarks by NC president Farooq Abdullah regarding the party’s position on Article 370 and questioned why he should continue holding a parliamentary seat under the party’s symbol when the leadership was no longer willing to pursue that political struggle. “Why should I continue holding a seat when the party itself does not want to fight for Article 370 and our constitutional rights? I do not want to become part of any confusion or deception,” he said.

Ruhullah said he was prepared to face the political consequences of his decision, adding that if people supported his position, the opportunity to represent them through the parliamentary platform could arise again.

The MP further appealed to people who believed in principled politics, transparency and political accountability to join the gathering, saying the programme would give like-minded people from across Jammu and Kashmir a chance to come together.

Party insiders claimed unhappy NC legislators also tried to reach out to Aga Syed Ruhullah to secure his support. However, sources said the MP declined to associate himself with the group, reiterating that his disagreements with the leadership were ideological and political rather than linked to the recent cabinet reshuffle.

In another related development, senior party MLA Mubarak Gul has announced that he will address a press conference on November 4 to disclose details about recent developments within the party. Gul’s statement follows confusion surrounding the post of General Secretary after NC president Farooq Abdullah late Friday evening directed Sagar to continue as General Secretary until further orders, fuelling speculation about internal differences and organisational uncertainty.

Amid reports of a widening rift, NC Kashmir Provincial President Showkat Ahmad Mir dismissed suggestions of a rebellion within the party. Speaking to reporters, Mir described the recent legislators’ meeting as a routine gathering held ahead of the Darbar Move, and said it had been unnecessarily portrayed as an organised revolt.