Srinagar, April 15: With by-elections approaching in Budgam, Srinagar MP and senior National Conference (NC) leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has called a significant meeting of 27 party block presidents, constituency heads, and village-level leaders at his residence, Darul-Mustafa, Shariat Abad Budgam, on April 19.
While officially described as an election-preparedness meeting, the gathering comes at a time when Ruhullah is increasingly seen as isolated within his party.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, April 13, Ruhullah said, “There should be someone from Budgam who represents the people. I would suggest somebody local from Budgam itself to represent the constituency.”
His remarks come months after he joined protesting students in Srinagar outside the CM’s Gupkar residence, opposing the revised reservation policy that reduced open merit seats to 30%. His participation in the protests created friction with the NC leadership.
“After the reservation protests, the communication between me and the party has become almost non-existent,” Ruhullah said during a conversation on X Space, formerly known as Twitter Space.
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Once a prominent ideological voice within NC, Ruhullah now finds himself sidelined. His open stance on issues such as statehood, Article 370, and the reservation policy has caused discomfort within the party.
Adding to the tension, Ruhullah was recently named in a land scam, which he dismissed as politically motivated. “Let them probe the case at the highest level. This is nothing but a way to silence me. I won’t be silenced by these things,” he said.
Observers say that the April 19 meeting could either reaffirm his influence in Budgam—or mark a turning point in his relationship with the NC.
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The by-elections are being held in the Budgam constituency after Omar Abdullah vacated the seat and retained the Ganderbal seat last year.
