Farooq Abdullah Challenges Ruhullah Mehdi to Resign and Seek Fresh Mandate

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday hit back at party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi over his recent public statements, challenging him to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate if he believes his victory was based on his own political support.

Reacting to Ruhullah’s views, Abdullah said the Srinagar MP was free to raise issues such as the restoration of Article 370 in Parliament. However, he questioned the approach being taken by the party leader.

“If he thinks Article 370 can be restored, he should take up the issue in Parliament,” Abdullah said.

The NC president also challenged Ruhullah to prove his claim that voters supported him because of his personal political standing.

“If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get,” Abdullah said.

Abdullah stressed that party members were expected to respect decisions taken by the organisation, particularly during elections. Referring to the Budgam election, he said NC workers could not have been expected to campaign against a candidate officially nominated by the party.

The remarks come amid growing public differences between senior National Conference leaders and Ruhullah, whose recent statements have sparked discussion about the direction of the party.

Asked about reports of differences within the NC, Abdullah said disagreements were normal in political organisations and should not automatically be viewed as a rebellion against the party leadership.

He also highlighted the distinction between the party and the government, saying that as NC president, he did not want to interfere unnecessarily in the functioning of the administration.

Abdullah recalled the sacrifices made by generations of National Conference leaders and workers, saying the party had survived because of the commitment and dedication of its grassroots cadre.

On Ruhullah’s political direction, Abdullah advised the Srinagar MP to seek guidance from the Quran. He reiterated his view that Ruhullah was currently following what he described as the “wrong path”.

The exchange highlights continuing differences within the National Conference at a time when the party remains a major political force in Jammu and Kashmir.