JKNS DESK
Srinagar, Nov 03 (JKNS): Hours after the National Conference (NC) issued a strongly worded statement accusing former Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi of “mental and moral bankruptcy” and questioning his political record on Article 370 and reservation, Ruhullah’s office on Tuesday launched a sharp counterattack, accusing the ruling party of showing greater anger towards a leader questioning its commitments than towards those responsible for the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
In a strongly worded response posted on X, as per news agency JKNS, Aga Ruhullah’s office rejected the NC’s allegations, saying the party was more concerned about attacking a leader holding it accountable for its promises than questioning those who stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its constitutional rights.
“What a shameless statement. You have more anger for a man holding you to your promises than for those who stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its rights. Your courage appears only when the questions are directed at you,” the statement read.
Responding to the NC’s reference to the Holy Quran and Ruhullah’s speech at Budgam, his office said the religious reference had initially been made by the party president and that Ruhullah had merely responded to it.
“The Qur’an was first invoked by your President, we responded to it – you are enraged now because Aga Sb’s response has exposed you in his response,” it said.
Taking on the party’s allegation of moral bankruptcy, the statement said Ruhullah had given up his parliamentary seat, while accusing the NC leadership of abandoning its commitments to retain political positions.
“You call Aga Sb morally bankrupt. He has given up his seat. You have given up your commitments to keep yours. Spare us the lecture,” it said.
On the NC’s reference to his political role in 2010, Ruhullah’s office acknowledged that he was part of the government at the time and said he was accountable for his role, adding that leaving the party did not absolve him of that responsibility.
However, it questioned why the same standard was not being applied to the party leadership, particularly Omar Abdullah, who was Chief Minister at the time.
“He owes answers for that, and leaving the party does not erase that responsibility. He has acknowledged it. Where is the same acknowledgment from the man who was Chief Minister?” the statement asked.
Rejecting the NC’s questions over Ruhullah’s contribution towards the restoration of Article 370, his office challenged the party to examine his parliamentary speeches rather than relying on what it described as selective political narratives.
The statement also questioned the NC’s position on the issue, asking why the party had sought votes in the 2024 Assembly elections on the promise of restoration of Article 370 if its subsequent response after coming to power was that those responsible for its abrogation would not return it.
“The BJP was in power when you wrote the manifesto. You knew exactly whom you would be dealing with. What changed after the election, apart from your access to office?” it said.
On reservation, Ruhullah’s office rejected the NC’s questions about his role in protests, claiming that he had stood alongside students outside the Chief Minister’s residence in December 2024.
“He stood with students outside the Chief Minister’s residence in December 2024. You remember it perfectly well. You have been attacking him for it ever since,” the statement said.
It challenged the government to make public the decisions and recommendations concerning changes in the reservation policy, including the dates on which proposals were submitted and the reasons for the delay in their implementation.
“Publish the decision. Publish the dates. Tell the students exactly what was proposed, when it was submitted and what remains blocked. They deserve an answer, not another statement attacking the man standing beside them,” it said.
Reacting to the NC’s assertion that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s rights required “deft politics, not theatrics”, Ruhullah’s office questioned the party’s approach towards the Centre, alleging that its political conduct after securing the public mandate was inconsistent with its electoral commitments.
It also rejected the party’s claim that Ruhullah owed his political existence to the National Conference, asserting that electoral victories and public positions were the result of people’s votes rather than any favour extended by the party leadership.
“Stop telling people that he owes his political existence to you. The votes belonged to the people. The seats belonged to the people. You did not confer a favour on Kashmir by allowing its people to elect their representatives,” the statement read.
Taking a further dig at the NC leadership, the office said the party appeared to treat public office as an inheritance and viewed questions about its commitments as an act of disloyalty.
The statement concluded with a sarcastic remark directed at the NC leadership over its criticism of Ruhullah, saying the former MP had returned the parliamentary seat that the party had repeatedly questioned him about.
“Today, he returned the seat you kept throwing in his face,” it said.
The exchange marks a further escalation in the political confrontation between Aga Ruhullah and the National Conference following his announcement earlier in the day at Budgam that he was quitting the party and resigning from the Lok Sabha.
Ruhullah, while addressing the gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park, had accused the NC leadership of betraying the 2024 public mandate and compromising on the struggle for restoration of Article 370, while announcing plans to build a new political movement based on principles, accountability and people’s rights. (JKNS)
