BJP Wants to Weaken NC’: Salman Sagar Questions Ruhullah’s Political Stand
By : Sheikh Mohammad Isa
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) MLA Salman Sagar on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on party MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, accusing him of distancing himself from the organisation and alleging that the BJP had succeeded in its efforts to weaken the National Conference. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Sagar said Ruhullah should have used the strength of the party’s electoral mandate to fight political battles from within rather than distancing himself from the organisation.
“With great sadness, I must say that the BJP has succeeded in getting you out of the National Conference. If they have succeeded in pushing Omar Abdullah out, that would be another matter. But if Aga Ruhullah has joined a force that has repeatedly attempted to weaken Jammu and Kashmir’s political leadership over the past 80 to 90 years, then the BJP has succeeded,” Sagar said.
Salman Sagar Questions Ruhullah’s Political Stand
Questioning Ruhullah’s approach, the NC MLA argued that the party’s mandate of 50 MLAs represented a much stronger political force than that of an individual MP.
He said party leaders should have united to address their differences and used the strength of the elected government to raise political issues.
“People keep talking about the mandate. The National Conference has a mandate of 50 MLAs. That mandate should have been used to fight these battles. We should have fought together,” Sagar said.
He questioned why internal disagreements were not addressed through discussions with the party leadership, adding that political challenges should have been confronted from within rather than by distancing oneself from the organisation.
Sagar also asked whether Ruhullah had made efforts to persuade party legislators to remain united or formally raised his concerns with the leadership.
Sagar Recalls Omar Abdullah’s Support for Ruhullah
The NC MLA also referred to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s support for Ruhullah, claiming that he had been provided a safe constituency to contest elections.
He questioned Ruhullah’s subsequent political distance from the party and maintained that differences could have been resolved through dialogue.
Referring to developments since 2018, Sagar said several political leaders had faced restrictions and detention while attempting to represent the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also mentioned former NC leaders Devender Singh Rana and Surjit Singh Slathia joining the BJP, alleging that the party had succeeded in attracting prominent figures away from the National Conference.
Sajjad Shaheen Also Criticises Aga Ruhullah
Meanwhile, National Conference MLA Sajjad Shaheen also criticised Aga Ruhullah, accusing him of betraying the party and the voters who had supported him.
Shaheen questioned Ruhullah’s political record and performance, alleging that he had failed to fulfil his responsibilities as an MLA, minister and now as a Member of Parliament.
He also raised questions over Ruhullah’s reference to the Tufail Mattoo case, asking why the issue was being highlighted after 16 years.
Shaheen further questioned the emergence of new political parties in Kashmir, asking whether there was a broader political strategy behind the formation of multiple political outfits.
The latest remarks by the two NC legislators highlight the growing public disagreement within the party over Aga Ruhullah’s political position and his relationship with the party leadership.
