National Conference Member of Parliament Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi dismissed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s accusation of “political suicide” over his absence from the recent Budgam bypoll campaign, stating he has no interest in contesting an assembly seat or joining the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly.
Mehdi, the NC MP from Srinagar, addressed reporters and party workers at his Budgam residence upon returning from Germany. He described Abdullah’s comment as indicative of “smallness of thinking,” according to details received by The Chenab Times. “I am not worried about becoming an MLA. His concern is only about how and when to become an MLA. My fight is not about power or Assembly seats,” Mehdi said.
Mehdi explained his silence during the bypoll was not a signal to Abdullah but a principled stance against accepting power contrary to public interest. He accused NC leadership of reneging on 2024 assembly election promises and betraying voter trust. He criticized the party’s 40 MLAs for campaigning aggressively in Budgam with “money power and arrogance,” despite neglecting the area previously. “Nor will they return,” he added.
Recalling the prior campaign, Mehdi noted candidates urged him to tour the Valley, assuring fulfillment of commitments. “They did not give me even five minutes of rest. I told them to keep the promises they were making, so the voters themselves would stand with them,” he said. He had anticipated the 2024 mandate would bolster his parliamentary advocacy on Jammu and Kashmir issues, but claimed the government instead betrayed the people.
Responding to the “political suicide” label, Mehdi questioned Abdullah’s priorities: “If he can think in those terms, why can he not think about the political, religious and social rights of the people that are being crushed? Our struggle should be for those rights, yet he is still thinking about MLA seats.”
Mehdi addressed posters of him displayed during PDP celebrations after Aga Muntazir Mehdi’s bypoll victory, attributing the outcome to informed voter choice. “People of Budgam and Kashmir are aware and thoughtful. Their decision should not be belittled for someone’s political interest,” he said. He clarified his neutrality in the contest, leaving decisions to the electorate.
Mehdi extended condolences for the recent Delhi car explosion and Nowgam police station blast that killed 10 people, expressing solidarity with affected families. He held the BJP-led central government accountable for failing to curb terror over 11 years, noting such incidents are politicized against Muslims, particularly Kashmiris. “This is your failure; such incidents keep happening repeatedly,” he said, calling for accountability from political, administrative, and security officials.
Mehdi urged NC leadership to introspect on assembly election “mistakes” and adopt a principled approach. “There is still time to understand the people and return to the right path. If the party fails to correct its course, I will not hesitate to speak openly,” he warned.
No response from Abdullah or NC leadership was immediately available.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
