BARAMULLA — National Conference MP for the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, on Sunday said Jammu and Kashmir had continued to lose its powers over the years, while its political leadership had failed to regain them.
Speaking to reporters during an interaction in Baramulla, Ruhullah told the news agency KNO that his criticism was not directed at any individual or political party but reflected the broader political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“J&K has always lost things and not gained, from statehood to Article 370. Politically, J&K has not gained anything right from the outset,” he said.
Criticism of NC’s approach
Questioning the National Conference’s approach after coming to power, Ruhullah alleged that the party had changed its position on the rights lost after 2019.
He said people had placed their trust in the NC during the 2024 Assembly elections based on commitments made regarding the restoration of those rights.
“I ask only for the rights which we told people during election campaigning. It is the party’s words too and not mine alone. Kashmiris put trust in NC on the rights lost after 2019,” he said.
Ruhullah further questioned why elected representatives and party members could not raise concerns if they believed the party leadership had deviated from its commitments. “Why can’t I raise issues against the party? We are not slaves of the party. We can raise genuine questions if the party is not on track,” he said.
Remarks on statehood focus
The MP questioned the growing focus on restoration of statehood, saying it was not the only issue that had formed part of the NC’s political agenda. He recalled that NC vice president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier criticised those who focused only on statehood, adding that the party’s political agenda extended beyond restoration of statehood.
Ruhullah said political parties are accountable to the people and should remain open to questions from those who had supported them.
“Parties are accountable to people, not above questions,” he said, asserting that raising concerns over unfulfilled commitments should not be treated as opposition to the party.
He added that his position was aimed at ensuring that the issues and rights promised to people during the election campaign remained part of the political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir.
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