Amid an aggressive campaign by the ruling National Conference (NC) to mobilise support for its proposed Delhi protest, the party suffered a setback after its dissident Srinagar Lok Sabha member, Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, announced that he would not participate in the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest.
Ruhullah, who has repeatedly differed with the party leadership on several key issues, on Saturday distanced himself from the National Conference's statehood campaign, saying he was neither invited to nor required at the party's recent meeting. He also asserted that instead of joining the protest, he would continue to raise the issue of the restoration of Article 370.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kulgam, the Srinagar MP said he was occupied with previously scheduled programmes related to Muharram observances and was not part of the National Conference meeting.
"They didn't need me. I was not called, and I was not there. I already had programmes in Kulgam, Srinagar and other places in connection with the 25th of Muharram," Ruhullah said.
When asked whether he would participate in the National Conference's proposed Jantar Mantar protest seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, Ruhullah replied in the negative.
"They are going there to protest for statehood. I will go and speak to the people of Jammu and Kashmir about Article 370," he said.
The Srinagar MP alleged that limiting the political discourse to the demand for statehood alone serves the BJP's political narrative.
"They are working on the BJP's project. I will work for the aspirations and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.
Ruhullah maintained that although the National Conference had contested the Assembly elections on the issue of statehood, the larger constitutional question of Article 370 should remain central to the political discourse.
"The National Conference campaigned against the abrogation of Article 370 during the elections. We all campaigned on that issue. Whoever walks away from that and speaks only about statehood is helping normalise the post-August 5 status quo and advancing the BJP's propaganda," he said.
Responding to a question about reported remarks by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on the issue, Ruhullah said, "If Mirwaiz has said that, then he is right."
He argued that focusing solely on the demand for statehood while remaining silent on Article 370 contributes to normalising the constitutional changes made on August 5, 2019, which, according to him, aligns with the BJP's political narrative.
