Srinagar, Nov 3: The National Conference leader and MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday resigned from the party and quit the MP post, bringing to an end nearly 24 years of association with the party. He launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah for betraying the public mandate of 2024 Assembly polls.
He announced his resignation from the party at Behishti Zehra Park in Budgam to mark the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, who was killed in a militant attack in Magam.
In a fiery address, Ruhullah accused NC leadership of betraying the mandate given by people of J&K, alleging that the party had reneged on electoral commitments including the restoration of Article 370 and protection of the rights and dignity of the people.
Taking a direct swipe at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Ruhullah called Omar as an "incompetent" with no connection to ground realities.
"He (Omar Abdullah) should come here and see what respect and love mean. The chair may have authority but has no respect," he said.
"The party has turned into a stinking drain that now trades the dignity and respect of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The NC begged me to contest the 2024 parliamentary elections. I have recorded everything, and I will expose them all," he said and questioned Omar's position on Article 370, accusing him of changing his stand after the Assembly elections.
Ruhullah called Omar as an "incompetent" with no connection to ground realities.
"You made promises to people but did not keep them. You were only interested in power. Before elections, you went begging for votes. After coming to power, you said on the floor of the assembly that you regret making an election manifesto which is making you accountable now.
"You were elected to undo what the BJP and RSS did to the people of Jammu and Kashmir but all you managed is present shawls to those who hurt the feelings and dignity of our people. On the contrary, you browbeat students over reservations, daily wagers over regularisation and medical interns over a stipend hike," he added
"Farooq Abdullah should give lessons of Quran to his 'Na-Ahal' (incapable) son, who is scared and hopeless because of the BJP and took a U-turn on Article 370 immediately after the Assembly elections," he said.
Referring to Omar's remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of the Sonamarg tunnel, Ruhullah questioned his understanding of Kashmir's winter conditions. "Had you been a Kashmiri and known the weather of Kashmir, you would have known that no clouds and sunshine during Chillai Kalan is a curse and a bad omen, not a blessing," he said.
"You broke all records of betrayal and disgracing the people of Jammu and Kashmir. You acted like a prince but as a slave to the BJP and the RSS. The way we raised you to the throne, we will bring you down - not for returning in the next elections but for a permanent burial," he fumed.
In a reference to Farooq Abdullah, Ruhullah expressed hope that the NC president would live to see a new generation of leadership emerge in Jammu and Kashmir.
"May Almighty give Farooq Abdullah a long life to see us replace his 'Na-Ahal' with an honest and principled youngster," he said, adding he had no regrets about his decision.
Hinting at launching a new political party, Ruhullah said he would reach out to far-flung areas, including Rajouri and Poonch, to identify and bring together young and experienced people.
"We will launch a movement where honest and compassionate people come forward to lead the struggle for restoring what has been snatched from us," he added.
In a symbolic gesture, Ruhullah handed over his resignation to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of Tufail Mattoo, a teenager who was killed during 2010 unrest in Srinagar, when Omar was the Chief Minister, rather than submitting it to NC president Farooq Abdullah.
"This is a charter of freedom. I will not send this (resignation) to Farooq Abdullah. They do not have the standing or worth for me to send it to them. This is a message of freedom from this deceitful, corrupt organisation. I am handing this resignation over to Mohammad Ashraf Mattoo Sahab. I request him to forward this resignation with his own hands," Ruhullah said amid loud applause from his supporters.
Tufail's death had triggered massive protests against the then government headed by Omar Abdullah, in which Ruhullah was a Cabinet minister.
Ruhullah's exit marks a significant rupture within the NC, coming after months of increasing public differences with the party leadership and Chief Minister.
A three-time MLA from Budgam, Ruhullah entered electoral politics at a young age after NC president Farooq Abdullah personally invited him to join the party. The invitation came two years after his father, a Congress leader, was killed in a militant attack.
Ruhullah's departure could also test NC's political standing as the ruling party is dealing with discontent within its own legislative ranks.