National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday distanced himself from the party’s political activities, saying the National Conference “doesn’t need” him anymore.

National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Saturday distanced himself from the party’s political activities, saying the National Conference “doesn’t need” him anymore. He also ruled out participating in the party’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

Speaking to media, Ruhullah said he did not attend the National Conference convention held to mark the death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jahan because he was neither invited nor required to be there. When asked whether he would join the National Conference’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar, the Srinagar MP made it clear that he would not participate. He said his political focus would remain on issues directly concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the restoration of Article 370.

“They are going to protest for statehood, a responsibility for which people have not given them a mandate. I will go among the people of Jammu and Kashmir and speak about Article 370. I will work on the people’s agenda,” Ruhullah said.The MP argued that shifting the political discourse from Article 370 to statehood effectively strengthens the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) narrative.

“The National Conference had campaigned against the abrogation of Article 370 during the elections. We all campaigned on that issue. Whoever walks away from that and speaks only about statehood is helping normalise the status quo and advancing the BJP’s propaganda,” he said.

Ruhullah’s remarks come at a time when the National Conference has intensified its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, including plans for a protest at Jantar Mantar. His decision to stay away from the protest highlights apparent differences within the party over political priorities,He argued that emphasizing only statehood while remaining silent on Article 370 contributes to accepting the post-August 5 constitutional changes, which, according to him, aligns with the BJP’s political narrative.

Responding to a question regarding reported remarks by Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on the issue, Aga Ruhullah said that if Mirwaiz had made such observations, he considered them to be correct.Reaffirming his political position, the Srinagar MP said he would continue to advocate for the constitutional rights, identity and democratic aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.