The National Conference (NC) on Tuesday, 3 November issued a sharp rebuke against Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, questioning whether he ever moved a resolution, introduced a private member's bill, or gathered fellow MPs' signatures in Parliament to restore Jammu and Kashmir's Special Status. The party's pointed response directly challenged Ruhullah's legislative record after he levelled serious allegations against senior NC leadership at a public rally.

What Triggered the Confrontation

The dispute erupted after Ruhullah targeted NC President Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at a public rally in Budgam on Tuesday. The NC described his address as a 'manifestation of mental and moral bankruptcy,' accusing the Srinagar MP of resorting to derogatory and abusive language even while invoking religious texts. The party issued a detailed rebuttal on social media platform X, setting out a point-by-point counter to his allegations.

The Parliamentarian's Record Under Scrutiny

The NC's most pointed challenge centred on Ruhullah's track record as a parliamentarian. The party noted that while Ruhullah successfully mobilised signatures from over 100 MPs across political parties to move an impeachment motion against an Allahabad High Court judge, he made no comparable collective effort on behalf of J&K's constitutional rights or statehood restoration. The party questioned why he did not raise concerns in Parliament about the Lieutenant Governor (LG) administrative setup, which the NC claims continues to exercise remote control over state departments.

Selective Memory on Party History, NC Charges

The party further noted that while Ruhullah cited incidents from 2010 to attack the NC leadership, he conveniently remained a cabinet minister until a general reshuffle that same year. He subsequently contested the 2014 general elections on an NC ticket without raising any public objection. The NC also alleged that Ruhullah only tendered his resignation after being directed to do so by the party president, characterising the move as belated and opportunistic. The party claimed his actions actively contributed to the NC's defeat in the Budgam assembly by-poll while he retained his own parliamentary seat.

The Reservation Row and Stalled Cabinet Decisions

On the contentious issue of job reservations, the NC defended its administrative record, stating it had pledged to address grievances in the open merit category that arose during the LG's rule. The party said its Cabinet Sub-Committee had already passed key reservation modifications, but these remain stalled by central authorities. The NC asked why Ruhullah did not challenge the LG administration on recruitment irregularities or the delay in approving the cabinet's reservation decisions.

NC Reaffirms Statehood and Special Status Stance

Reaffirming its political position, the NC asserted that its drive to restore statehood will not come at the expense of special status. The party noted that its Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution demanding special status on 6 November — a move Ruhullah himself had reportedly welcomed initially. Summing up, the NC concluded that after serving three terms as an MLA, holding a ministerial portfolio, and winning a parliamentary seat under the party's banner over a 25-year career, Ruhullah's current posture reflects what it termed 'narcissistic conduct' and political theatrics. How this public rupture affects the NC's cohesion ahead of future electoral contests in J&K remains to be seen.