Ruhullah quits National Conference and resigns Lok Sabha seat

Aga Ruhullah Mehdi announced on November 3 that he was resigning from the National Conference and his Lok Sabha seat, accusing the party leadership of abandoning commitments made during the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election campaign. His parliamentary resignation will take effect only if accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker, according to one account of the procedure. Ruhullah made the announcement at a public gathering in Budgam attended by thousands of supporters. He said the National Conference had sought votes on promises to defend the region’s dignity and constitutional rights but had moved away from those commitments after returning to power. His allegations reflect his account of the party’s record. Among the pledges he cited were the restoration of Article 370, constitutional safeguards, changes to reservation policy and efforts to secure the release of prisoners. He also accused the party of failing to deliver on promises of one lakh jobs, 200 units of free electricity and 12 free LPG cylinders annually. Those specific figures were among the commitments he said had not been fulfilled. Ruhullah criticized Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and questioned the government’s...