Aga Ruhullah helped BJP succeed in 'operation Lotus' in Kashmir, alleges National Conference
NC MLA Salman Ali Sagar portrayed the development as part of a prolonged attempt to weaken the National Conference.
Published: Nov 04, 2026, 06:26 PM IST
| Updated: Nov 04, 2026, 06:29 PM IST
NC MLA Salman Ali Sagar portrayed the development as part of a prolonged attempt to weaken the National Conference.
The National Conference (NC) on Wednesday accused the BJP of making a breakthrough in Kashmir through its alleged 'Operation Lotus', claiming that Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi's exit from the party had helped the saffron party advance its political agenda in the Valley.
NC MLA Salman Ali Sagar made the allegations at a joint press conference with Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen at the party headquarters, Nawai Subah.
He described Ruhullah's departure as an unfortunate development and alleged that it marked the BJP's first success in drawing away a prominent political figure from the National Conference in Kashmir, following earlier defections in Jammu.
"With a heavy heart, we say that the BJP has achieved what it had long attempted. I feel the BJP has succeeded in its Operation Lotus, particularly in pushing Aga Ruhullah Sahib out of the National Conference," Sagar said.
He recalled the BJP's earlier successes in Jammu, referring to the late Devender Singh Rana and Sukhdev Singh (also referred to as Surjeet Singh) Slathia, who left the National Conference and joined the BJP. Slathia subsequently became a BJP MLA.
"None from Kashmir until now," Sagar said, alleging that Ruhullah's departure had now allowed the BJP to extend its political strategy to the Valley.
NC questions Ruhullah's commitment to party
Sagar portrayed the development as part of a prolonged attempt to weaken the National Conference, which was founded to represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the party's leadership and senior members had faced detention and cases under the Public Safety Act over the past five to eight years, particularly since 2018, for standing up for the people of the region.
Questioning Ruhullah's long association with the party, Sagar said someone who had remained with the NC for 25–27 years should have understood its political position and commitment to the cause.
"Anyone can become a leader, but how can someone remain associated with a party for 25–27 years without understanding whether its commitment to the cause is genuine? I do not believe Aga Sahib provided any meaningful service while remaining in the National Conference," he said.
'Why walk away instead of fighting from within?'
The NC leader also questioned Ruhullah's repeated references to the mandate secured by the party's 50 MLAs.
Sagar argued that if the Srinagar MP genuinely believed in that mandate, he should have raised his concerns from within the party and worked alongside the elected legislators, the Chief Minister and the government instead of leaving.
"What is a stronger force: one Aga Ruhullah Sahib, whether as an MP or a former MP, or the collective strength of 50 MLAs? Is it the strength of one individual or the strength of an entire government?" he asked.
Sagar said walking away when faced with political difficulties could not be described as bravery. He also questioned whether Ruhullah had approached the party leadership or MLAs seeking their support, and whether the party had issued him any show-cause notice.
According to Sagar, the National Conference had always wanted Ruhullah to remain within its fold. He alleged that an informal remark by the party president had been used as a pretext for the resignation, allowing what he described as the BJP's parliamentary-style political manoeuvring to play out in Kashmir.
NC objects to use of Tufail Mattoo's family in resignation
Sagar and Shaheen also criticised the manner in which Ruhullah submitted his resignation from the party.
The Srinagar MP had handed over his resignation to the father of Tufail Mattoo, who was killed during the 2010 protests in Khanyar, for delivery to NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Sagar described this as a major mistake, arguing that the families of those killed in protests, whether in 2010 or later, should not be drawn into political disputes.
He said such families deserved respect and should not be used for political purposes. Ruhullah, he added, should have submitted his resignation directly to the elected party leadership from whom he had received his mandate.
Sagar also pointed out that Ruhullah had himself held important positions in the government, serving as a minister and a multiple-term MLA, during which the concerns of these families had not been adequately addressed.
NC reaffirms stand on Article 370, Article 35A
Addressing the larger political disagreement behind Ruhullah's departure, Sagar reiterated that the National Conference's fight for Article 370 and Article 35A was rooted in its history and dated back to 1931, rather than beginning in 1953.
He maintained that the party would not compromise on Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status or commit what he described as political and moral suicide.
Sagar referred to the Autonomy Resolution moved under Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah's leadership of the all-party delegation, early Cabinet discussions on the restoration of special status and statehood, and the recent resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
"It took the BJP nearly 80 years of political effort to abrogate Article 370. So who is the MP or leader who expects a Chief Minister of a Union Territory to restore Article 370 within just two months? This is simply an unrealistic expectation," he said.
Sagar added that if Ruhullah wanted to strengthen the movement for the restoration of special status, he should have worked alongside the party and campaigned among people rather than allowing personal differences to take precedence.
Sajad Shaheen says NC's strength lies in collective leadership
Shaheen described Ruhullah's departure as unfortunate but insisted that it would not weaken the National Conference.
He said the party's strength came from its collective leadership and the mandate given by the people, rather than being dependent on any one individual.
Shaheen argued that voters had brought the NC to power to prevent the political disempowerment of a community, not to secure the position of a particular leader.
Both leaders indicated that senior party figures would respond further to questions surrounding past expulsions and internal shortcomings. They maintained that the party would not remain silent on the issues. They also observed that even the People's Democratic Party (PDP) had, in a sense, emerged as a defender of the NC's position on these matters.
Why did Aga Ruhullah resign from the National Conference?
A prominent Shia cleric and three-time MLA from Budgam, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi later served as a minister before winning the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on a National Conference ticket in the 2024 general elections.
His differences with the Omar Abdullah-led leadership had been building over what he perceived as the dilution of the party's 2024 election promises. These included the restoration of Article 370 and Article 35A, rationalisation of reservations, the release of prisoners and other welfare commitments.
The differences culminated on November 3, 2026, when Ruhullah announced his resignation from both the National Conference and Parliament at a gathering at Behishti Zehra Park in Budgam.
The announcement came on the 26th death anniversary of his father. Describing his decision as his "Azadi", Ruhullah accused the Abdullah family of betraying him and using him for electoral gains.
He handed his resignation from the party to the father of Tufail Mattoo, the 2010 protest victim, for submission to NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah. He also submitted his resignation as a Lok Sabha MP to the Speaker.
His departure comes at a time when the National Conference government is facing wider internal pressures, including reports of discontent among MLAs following a recent Cabinet expansion.
The party leadership has portrayed the development as a significant political gain for the BJP, alleging that its 'Operation Lotus' strategy, long associated with attempts to engineer defections, has now found an opening in the Kashmir Valley.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world news on Zee News English.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
