Aga Ruhullah not quitting NC, say sources close to Srinagar MP

May 25, 2025 by News Desk

Amid ongoing speculation and rumours about Aga Ruhullah Mehdi parting ways with the National Conference (NC), sources close to the Srinagar MP told The Kashmiriyat that he is not planning to leave the party.

“It’s highly unlikely that Aga Ruhullah is quitting the party,” a source said. “He continues to believe in the ideology coined by Sheikh Abdullah and follows it in principle — something that, he feels, many within the party no longer do.”

The source added that differences between Ruhullah and the present NC leadership are well-known and not a recent development. “These disagreements are in the public domain and hidden from nobody. But they should not be interpreted as signs of him leaving the party,” they clarified.

The issues have not come to the forth for the first time. Post the abrogation of Article 370, Aga Ruhullah expressed dismay over the party’s approach over the approach of National conference regarding the abrogation.

Meanwhile the National Conference has ridiculed the reports of Aga Ruhullah leaving the party meeting midway a few days ago, which was carried by several news outlets. “Shameful that a reputable news outlets would publish such a planted story without cross checking with the party. Contrary to the false claims, Mr. Aga Ruhullah did not walk out of the meeting—in fact, he was present from morning till evening,” Imran Nabi Dar, the state spokesperson of the National Conference said.

Last month, an NC spokesperson had also dismissed similar rumours, stating that the party allows internal debate and differing views. “NC is a space where dialogue is permissible, and so are differences. We don’t expect all our leaders to speak in one voice on every issue. That’s natural in a democratic setup,” the spokesperson said.

Recently, Aga Ruhullah expressed dissatisfaction during a party meeting regarding the functioning of the present NC government. Sources told The Kashmiriyat that several other NC leaders also share concerns about the current political structure in Jammu Kashmir, where MLAs feel increasingly powerless.

In what many believe is a move to address the growing discontent within its ranks, the NC recently passed a resolution reiterating key demands. These included the restoration of constitutional safeguards under Articles 370 and 35A. The party also condemned the ongoing bulldozer actions, arbitrary arrests, and the suppression of press freedom.

Experts believe the resolution has been welcomed by uneasy factions within the party. However, whether this internal calm can be sustained — especially in the absence of clarity on the restoration of statehood — remains to be seen.