Srinagar, Aug 28 : National Conference MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, on Friday mounted a sharp counter-offensive against party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, saying his resignation from the Lok Sabha would come only after the party leadership answers for what he termed a “brazen moral failure” on the promise to restore Article 370.
In a detailed letter addressed to Abdullah accessed by Kashmir Convener MP Ruhullah said he has written to the NC president in response to his public demand for resignation. “Rest assured, the resignation will come. It would have come even without you asking but before that must come accountability,” he said.
The letter comes days after Abdullah challenged Ruhullah to resign and seek a fresh mandate, questioning whether his 2024 electoral victory was based on personal credibility or party support . The veteran leader had also remarked, “How long will you be a slave? You have to stand on your feet sometimes. When will you stand?” .
Ruhullah, in his response, turned the question back on the party president. “May I then, with humility, ask: why should you object when I pose the very same questions?” he wrote.
He pointed to what he called a contradiction in the party’s position, questioning why the NC had promised restoration of Article 370 in its 2024 manifesto if it believed restoration was impossible under a BJP government. “Were we making promises we knew we could not keep – or perhaps never truly intended to keep?” he asked, describing it as “a sin” and a “brazen moral failure” to mislead the people of Jammu and Kashmir .
Ruhullah also defended his political stance, arguing that his position is rooted in the struggle for constitutional guarantees, dignity, and the rights of the people. He drew a sharp contrast between the party’s current acceptance of statehood and its earlier opposition to the 2019 constitutional changes. “This demotion to statehood stands in stark opposition to the grand promises of restoring Articles 370 and 35A on which we came to power,” he said.
The letter also addressed what Ruhullah termed as a “coordinated campaign of rebuke” against him and a “disrespectful attack” on his background. He reminded Abdullah that he is the “proud son of a martyr” and was personally invited by him to join the party .
Reports indicate Ruhullah has decided to resign from both Parliament and the NC on November 3, the 26th death anniversary of his father . He has scheduled a public rally in Budgam on that date to announce his decision formally.
The disgruntled MP has indicated he may contest the by-election as an inde pendent candidate.
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