Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 30
Dissident National Conference (NC) leader Aga Syed Ruhullah said on Friday that the party could struggle to survive after its president, Farooq Abdullah, and indicated he may contest the by-election to the Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency following his planned resignation.
In an interview with India Today, Ruhullah accused the NC leadership and the government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of abandoning the party’s principles and failing to honour electoral commitments.
He said he was considering a new political initiative based on conviction and political principles rather than immediately joining another party.
“I would be nervous continuing with betrayals, with confusion, with an organisation and government that has taken a U-turn,” Ruhullah said.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir needed to collectively decide whether to continue supporting what he described as a system of broken promises or seek a change in political leadership.
Ruhullah said he wanted to bring together people with integrity and commitment before forming a political organisation or joining an existing party.
He said the proposed initiative would eventually seek public approval through elections.
The MP also indicated that he could contest the by-election to the Srinagar-Budgam Lok Sabha seat after resigning from Parliament.
Ruhullah, who has announced plans to resign from the NC and his parliamentary seat on November 3, said he did not want legislators dissatisfied with the recent cabinet expansion to join him merely because they had been denied ministerial positions.
He said some legislators might share his political concerns but would need to demonstrate their commitment by being prepared to give up positions of power.
Commenting on the future of the NC, Ruhullah said the party’s survival was closely linked to Farooq Abdullah.
“May Dr (Farooq) Sahab live long, but NC will not survive after him, and it is already showing,” he said.
Ruhullah said he had spent 25 years in the party and had believed it could deliver on its political commitments.
However, he accused those currently controlling the organisation of moving it away from its ideology and principles.
“I don’t see this party surviving anymore,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing internal dissatisfaction within the NC following Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent cabinet expansion and his own prolonged disagreement with the party leadership over Article 370, statehood and other political issues.
