 Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 27: As the estranged Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, continues to publicly criticise Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, tensions within the ruling National Conference (NC) have escalated.
The party has now mounted a counteroffensive against the dissenting parliamentarian, even as the campaign for the crucial Budgam Assembly byelection gathers momentum.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, however, sought to downplay the controversy, asserting that the party remains united and fully equipped to carry out its campaign despite Ruhullah’s boycott.
“The National Conference has enough leaders who are actively leading the campaign and engaging with people across constituencies,” Abdullah told reporters, adding that he had “never compelled anyone to join or withdraw” from campaign activities.
Meanwhile, senior NC leader and MLA Abdul Majid Larmi came out strongly against Ruhullah, challenging him to resign from Parliament if he truly believed the Chief Minister had failed in his duties.
“If Ruhullah believes the Chief Minister has failed to deliver, he should resign from his seat and contest fresh elections,” Larmi said, responding to the Srinagar MP’s recent statements.
“He keeps saying the Chief Minister has done nothing. If that’s true, then resign from your Lok Sabha seat, which you won on the National Conference mandate in 2024. Step down and face the people again.”
Larmi further remarked that while every elected representative has the right to speak for their constituency, public criticism of party leadership only weakens the organisation.
“If he talks about our people on our ticket, can’t we do the same? We made a promise for five years, not one,” he said pointedly.
Addressing Ruhullah’s comments on governance failures, Larmi clarified that many administrative decisions — including the controversial installation of smart electricity meters — were implemented under the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, not by the elected government.
“The smart meters were introduced by the LG government, not ours. If our government comes, we’ll throw the smart meters in jail. Let the state return, and you will see,” Larmi quipped.
He argued that it was impossible for the current administration to take major policy decisions until statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Before the state returns, it’s not possible. When there’s no money here, when there’s no flour, who will make the bread?” he remarked, highlighting the limitations of governance under the present arrangement.
Despite the friction, Omar Abdullah appeared keen to move past the internal rift, emphasizing the party’s broader campaign priorities.
“The National Conference is a strong organisation with many capable leaders. Our focus is on connecting with the people, not on internal disagreements,” the Chief Minister said.
The exchange between Ruhullah and the party leadership has added a new dimension to the Budgam byelection, exposing simmering tensions within the National Conference even as it strives to project unity ahead of a closely watched contest. |
