Ruhullah Says Not Invited to NC Meet First Time Since 2002 | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said that this was the first time since 2002 that he had not been invited to the National Conference’s Central Working Committee meeting, indicating a fresh escalation in tensions between him and the party leadership.

Speaking with reporters in Ganderbal, Ruhullah said he had no information about the ongoing session in Srinagar. “If the working committee meeting is going on, I am a permanent member of it. This is the first time since 2002 that I have not been invited,” he said.

Amid speculation that he was laying the groundwork for a separate political front, the MP dismissed such reports. “I have not kept a distance from any party, nor have I spoken to anyone to form another party,” he said.

Ruhullah, who has openly disagreed with the National Conference’s stand on reservation and the party’s post-election conduct, reiterated his criticism. He said the party owed people clarity and consistency on commitments made during the 2024 Assembly campaign.

“We made promises to the people that we would fight for the return of protections linked to Article 370. We received votes on that. We cannot switch to a different language after getting that mandate,” he said.

On the reservation issue, he said students had been suffering due to delays. “More than a year has passed. If this matter remains unresolved after a month, I will again sit with the students until the issue is settled,” he said.

Ruhullah cautioned that failure of mainstream parties to honour their manifestos would erode public faith. “If the party does not follow its own manifesto, it will lose people’s trust, and losing trust is the biggest loss,” he said.