The Kashmir Dialogues
Attributes Breakdown in Party Ties to His Support for Protest Against Reservation Policy
Srinagar, Apr 15: (The Kashmir Dialogues)
National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, has revealed a growing disconnect between him and the party leadership, particularly following his support for a student protest against the controversial reservation policy outside the Chief Minister’s residence last year.
Speaking during a session on X Spaces, Ruhullah said, “Until the Assembly elections, my opinions mattered. Even if the party disagreed with my approach, it supported the essence of my views. But after the protest, all communication ended. My voice no longer matters — no one listens.”
He said the party’s engagement with him stopped after the elections. “They persuaded me to contest the Lok Sabha elections and consulted me regularly until the Assembly polls. But since then, I’ve been completely sidelined,” he added.
Despite continuing to represent NC in Parliament, Ruhullah claimed that the party leadership has not sought his input in recent times. “There are no takers for my political thinking anymore,” he stated.
Referring to the student protest on December 23 against the reservation policy, Ruhullah clarified, “I didn’t organize any protest. It was a spontaneous outcry by students who felt betrayed. I simply stood by them. If that makes me an enemy within the party, so be it.”
He emphasized that his political stance stems from moral responsibility rather than ambition. “I speak from my conscience, not for gain. God is my only judge,” Ruhullah said. He also added that he refrained from public confrontation with the party, acknowledging its compulsions in navigating ties with the Centre.
The reservation policy in question has drawn widespread criticism for reducing the open merit quota to approximately 30 percent, sparking anxiety among general category aspirants. CM Omar Abdullah had later announced the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee to review the policy.
Adding to the tension, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Saturday filed a chargesheet against 22 people, including Ruhullah and six of his relatives, over alleged manipulation of land revenue records. Terming the charges “baseless,” Ruhullah said no one from NC had contacted him regarding the development. “Had they done so, they’d have known the facts,” he said, indirectly criticizing the party’s silence.
“I have a moral duty to speak for my people, both inside and outside the party. But this disconnect is eating me up from the inside,” he concluded.
