Budgam, Nov 03: All eyes are on Budgam today as National Conference (NC) MP from Srinagar, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, is expected to announce his resignation from the party and his Lok Sabha seat during a public gathering at Behisht-e-Zehra Park. The gathering is being held on the death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi.
The move has sparked political speculation in Jammu and Kashmir, with the possibility of a by-election for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency becoming a major talking point.
Ruhullah has said his decision stems from ideological differences with the NC leadership and what he describes as the party’s failure to fulfil key electoral promises, including the restoration of Article 370, protection of constitutional rights, addressing reservation concerns, and securing the release of prisoners.
If he formally resigns and the resignation is accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Srinagar seat will fall vacant, necessitating a by-election within the prescribed timeframe under existing laws, subject to statutory provisions.
The prospect of a fresh election has fuelled discussion over whether Ruhullah would re-enter the fray as an Independent candidate. If he decides to contest, the fight is expected to be directly between Ruhullah and the National Conference.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Ruhullah won the Srinagar seat with 3,56,866 votes, defeating PDP candidate Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who secured 1,68,450 votes. He won by a margin of 1,88,416 votes.
A fresh contest could present a different political landscape, particularly if Ruhullah contests without the organisational backing of the NC. The NC would face the challenge of retaining the seat, while other parties may look to capitalise on the opportunity.
The gathering is also expected to provide clarity on Ruhullah’s future political course. He has maintained that his decision is based on political and ideological differences rather than personal grievances or denial of any party position.
Ruhullah has also opposed any attempt to destabilise the elected government through horse-trading, saying the NC-led government should complete its full five-year term.
The developments surrounding the event are likely to have significant political implications, with the future of the Srinagar parliamentary seat and Ruhullah’s next move set to remain under close watch. It will be interesting to see whether Ruhullah will be able to throw up a credible alternative in Kashmir, where all anti-NC parties were decimated in the 2024 Assembly elections.
