NC MP Ruhullah responds to Farooq Abdullah’s resign challenge

SRINAGAR — National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday said he would not disappoint party president Dr Farooq Abdullah and would explain his position on the latter’s demand that he resign as a Lok Sabha member and seek a fresh mandate.

Talking to reporters, Ruhullah said he respected Farooq Abdullah and recalled that there had never been a situation where the veteran NC leader had asked him for something and he had refused to comply.

“I respect him. Never has it happened that he asked me something and I did not give,” Ruhullah said, indicating that he would respond to Farooq’s latest demand after explaining his position.

Ruhullah said he would explain everything in the coming days, without immediately disclosing whether he would accept the challenge to resign from Parliament and seek a fresh mandate.

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The remarks came a day after Farooq Abdullah challenged Ruhullah to resign as a Lok Sabha member and return to the electorate if he believed that his 2024 election victory was based on his own support rather than the National Conference organisation.

Farooq had also told Ruhullah that if he believed Article 370 could be restored, he was free to raise the issue in Parliament, while accusing him of pursuing the “wrong path.” The NC president had questioned Ruhullah’s political approach and stressed the importance of loyalty to the party and its workers.

Farooq had said, “Resign from Parliament and come back to the people. Let us see who votes for you.”