Srinagar, Nov 03: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhury on Tuesday said the National Conference leadership would consider suggestions from disgruntled party legislators and address organisational shortcomings, amid questions over senior leader Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi’s reported differences with the party.
Responding to questions about reports that Ruhullah was set to resign from the party, the Deputy CM declined to comment directly, saying it was an individual decision.
“Ruhullah Sahib has his own decision. As far as the government is concerned, that is separate,” he said.
Asked whether Ruhullah’s reported departure would hurt the National Conference, he said no such development had taken place so far.
“Nothing has happened yet. It is still early in the day,” he said, urging journalists to speak to people on the ground to assess the political situation.
“You are journalists, the fourth pillar of the country. You should go to villages and towns and ask people. They themselves will tell you who is doing right and who is doing wrong,” he said.
Describing Ruhullah as a prominent political figure in Jammu and Kashmir, the Deputy CM said his actions were a matter for him to decide.
“Ruhullah Sahib is a prominent leader, a big leader in Jammu and Kashmir. What he does or does not do is his decision; what people do is their decision,” he said.
On reports of discontent among National Conference legislators and a possible meeting with party president Farooq Abdullah on November 6, the Deputy CM said the party had a tradition of listening to its workers and considering their suggestions.
“Even the smallest worker in the National Conference can convey something to the leadership, and the leadership considers it. If they point out shortcomings, the party leadership will work to address them,” he said.
He said the final decision on addressing such concerns rested with the party leadership, including Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the party’s vice-president, and the working committee.
“If they feel that correcting certain things will make us stronger, the leadership will consider those suggestions,” he said.
The Deputy CM also dismissed speculation about an alleged ‘Operation Lotus’ in Jammu and Kashmir, using the seasonal flowering of the lotus as a metaphor.
“Even the lotus has a season to bloom. I don’t think it will bloom now. It probably doesn’t bloom in winter. Winter has arrived, so the lotus will come, wither, rise, fall, stumble and eventually fade away,” he said.
He did not confirm the reported November 6 meeting between Farooq Abdullah and the legislators.
