Ruhullah Mehdi quits National Conference amid party backlash over Kashmir rights stance

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Member of Parliament for Srinagar, resigned from the National Conference on November 3, 2026, citing differences over the party's political approach following the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in 2019. In his resignation letter, he accused the party of betraying people's expectations and abandoning the struggle for the restoration of rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

Supporters gathered at Behist-e-Zehra Park in Budgam ahead of his planned announcement. A nine-year-old boy named Dayim Raza held a placard reading "A promise is bigger than a chair" in Urdu. His grandfather said the boy had made the placard and was excited to support an honest man who speaks the truth in politics.

“Whoever is honest, whether it is Aga Ruhullah or anyone else, we will support them.”

The date of the resignation announcement held personal significance for Mehdi because his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, was killed in a militant attack on this day in 2000. Mehdi had campaigned vigorously for the National Conference in the 2024 elections, after which the party received a massive mandate from voters.

The National Conference responded with a strongly worded statement accusing Mehdi of political opportunism and backstabbing the party. The party said he had remained a willing participant for nearly 25 years, serving as a three-time MLA, minister, and MP, and only resigned after being directed to do so by party president Farooq Abdullah.

The NC described Ruhullah's remarks as reflecting "mental and moral bankruptcy" and political narcissism. It also criticized the tone of his resignation speech, saying it contained derogatory and unparliamentary language directed at the party leadership, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The party questioned his decision to cite restoration of special status and reservations as reasons for quitting, alleging his concerns were politically convenient. It noted that he had welcomed and praised the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly resolution seeking restoration of special status after it was passed on November 6.