Srinagar: Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, has announced his decision to resign from both his Lok Sabha seat and the primary membership of the National Conference party. The resignation is slated to take effect on November 3.
Sources indicate that Mehdi’s departure stems from ideological differences with the National Conference leadership. He has expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s stance on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, particularly concerning the abrogation of Article 370.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Mehdi stated that he does not wish to be associated with what he termed as “lies and betrayal.” He plans to formally submit his resignation letters to the Lok Sabha Speaker and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on November 3, a date that also marks the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi.
Mehdi has outlined several commitments to fulfil before his resignation becomes official. These include the disbursement of funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) and the organization of a conference in Srinagar aimed at advocating for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights. He is also reportedly planning a public rally in Budgam on his father’s death anniversary, where he intends to formally release his resignation letter and elaborate on his reasons for leaving the party and Parliament.
The decision follows an open challenge by National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, who had dared Mehdi to resign and seek a fresh mandate as an independent candidate if he believed his electoral success was due to personal support rather than the party’s backing.
Mehdi had previously voiced his concerns over the perceived failure of the National Conference leadership to uphold its electoral promises regarding the fight for the restoration of Article 370. He stated that the party had included the promise in its manifesto but allegedly backed away from it after the elections. This perceived backtracking has led to his decision to separate himself from the party’s political activities.
The resignation is expected to create a vacancy in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, necessitating a by-election. Mehdi’s move marks a significant development in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the ongoing debates and sentiments surrounding the region’s constitutional status.
The Chenab Times News Desk