From Scroll · Safwat Zargar · · 1m 30s
MP Ruhullah resigns as Kashmir warning
Kashmir MP Ruhullah resigns from National Conference, signaling demand for special status restoration.
In brief
Kashmir MP Ruhullah resigns from National Conference, signaling demand for special status restoration. Kashmir MP Ruhullah Mehdi resigned from National Conference to pressure Delhi on restoring Jammu and Kashmir's special status. Originally reported by Scroll.
MP Ruhullah resigns
48-year-old Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi resigned from National Conference and Lok Sabha.
“There are people who cry for the seat of power, but I feel at peace shunning the chair I am holding”
Resignation speech
Ruhullah criticized National Conference leadership and its two prominent faces.
“Ruhullah’s resignation was preceded by a biting speech that targeted Kashmir’s grand old party”
Two-and-a-half-decade association
Ruhullah ended nearly two-and-a-half-decade-long party membership.
“With his resignation, Ruhullah, who is also a well-known religious figure, ended his nearly two-and-a-half-decade-long association with the party”
Criticism of government
Ruhullah criticized BJP-led government’s decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
“He has been a vocal critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government’s decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status”
Party’s pledge
National Conference pledged to restore special status if elected in 2024 polls.
“In 2024, in the run-up to the first Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after it was downgraded to a Union Territory, the Abdullah-led National Conference pledged to restore the region’s special status”
Article 370 and 35A
Party promised to strive for restoring Article 370 and Article 35A in 2024 manifesto.
“In its manifesto for the polls, the party had also promised to 'strive' to restore Article 370 and Article 35A”
Party’s stance
National Conference not serious about restoring special status.
“While the National Conference achieved an overwhelming majority in the Assembly, many feel that the party, which has been in power for more than two years now, is not serious about taking on New Delhi over the question of restoring this special status”
Ruhullah’s view
Ruhullah claims National Conference surrendered to BJP.
“Ruhullah claims that the National Conference has surrendered to the Bharatiya Janata Party”
Kashmiri youth support
Kashmiri youth support Ruhullah despite party’s stance.
“But to his credit, a big chunk of Kashmiri youth do seem to like him”
Skepticism about resignation
Some believe Ruhullah’s exit will fragment Kashmiri Muslim voter base.
“There is a constituency in Kashmir that is sceptical about Ruhullah’s exit: they believe it will further fragment the Kashmiri Muslim voter base”
Ruhullah’s challenge
Ruhullah must convince Kashmiris his politics is organic and not backed by Delhi.
“This is why the biggest challenge for Ruhullah will be to convince Kashmiris that his politics is organic and does not have the blessings of the Union government”
Ruhullah’s next move
Ruhullah hints at creating new political formation but faces uphill task.
“In his speech in Budgam on Tuesday, Ruhullah hinted at creating a new political formation”
Unanswered question
Ruhullah has not answered how to compel Delhi to restore special status.
“So far, the question Ruhullah has not answered is how he plans to compel New Delhi to restore the legal status quo in Kashmir”
Ruhullah’s message
Ruhullah’s resignation signals need for Delhi to address Kashmiri anxieties.
“At a deeper level, Ruhullah’s resignation is essentially a nudge to New Delhi to engage with Kashmir and address its anxieties”
What matters most
Kashmir MP Ruhullah Mehdi resigned from National Conference to pressure Delhi on restoring Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
