Ruhullah–NC rift widens as key meet proceeds without Srinagar MP

The rift between Srinagar MP and National Conference (NC) leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and the party leadership has deepened further, with no sign yet of either side attempting to defuse the infighting.

On Thursday, as the NC working committee convened a key meeting in Srinagar, Ruhullah said he had not been invited-the first time he has been excluded since 2002. The snub comes at a time when the prominent Shia leader, once among the NC's most sought-after campaigners in last year's assembly elections, has emerged as one of the party's sharpest internal critics.

Fault lines deepen

Ruhullah’s strained ties with the NC first became visible when he joined protests by general-category students outside the Chief Minister's residence in Srinagar against the reservation issue. With the matter still unresolved, he has warned that he may resume protests—similar to those held last year—if a solution is not reached before the Winter Session of Parliament concludes on December 19.

The internal friction widened further after the NC’s defeat in the Budgam bypoll, a constituency it had held continuously since 1977. The seat was won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and analysts say Ruhullah's absence from the campaign-combined with his accusations that the NC leadership, particularly Omar Abdullah, failed to deliver on electoral promises-played a key role in the loss.

Budgam voters openly described their ballot as a “protest vote” against the NC. The defeat embarrassed the party and triggered snide remarks about Ruhullah from some leaders, further complicating the relationship.

Sharper exchanges

On Thursday, Ruhullah publicly criticised Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, pointing out that Choudhary himself had quit the PDP before joining the NC. “Yet he advises me about principles and party,” Ruhullah said. “My fight is for principles, not for the chair.”

Asked whether he planned to form his own political outfit, Ruhullah dismissed the speculation, reiterating that his disagreement stemmed from the NC's inability to fulfil promises made before coming to power last year.

What Lies Ahead?

The future of both the NC and Ruhullah may hinge on the deliberations of the ongoing two-day working committee meeting in Srinagar.

"Whatever is happening right now will impact both sides," said political analyst Professor Noor Baba. "Ideally, reconciliation should be the way forward-they need each other."

Baba added that although parties are generally larger than individuals, the NC's performance over the past year has made the internal tensions more consequential. "If a major shift occurs-such as the restoration of statehood-and the NC performs well by the end of its tenure, the Ruhullah issue may not have a major long-term impact," he said.

For now, however, the standoff continues, casting a shadow over the party's internal cohesion and raising questions about how the NC will navigate its most high-profile internal dissent.