‘You used wrong man’: Aga Ruhullah resigns as National Conference MP, targets Abdullah

Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday (November 3, 2026) announced his break with the National Conference and resignation from his Lok Sabha seat, launching a sharp attack on the Abdullah family and the Central government. In a strongly worded public address, he accused the Abdullah leadership of using him and the trust of ordinary Kashmiris to return to power before abandoning its promises.

Addressing a large gathering in Budgam on the 26th death anniversary of his father, martyr Aga Syed Mehdi, Ruhullah said his decision to leave the party and Parliament was driven by political conscience and principle. He also delivered a clear message to the Centre and national parties, including the BJP, Congress and RSS, saying that the people of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh would no longer allow Delhi to decide their political agenda.

‘You used the wrong man’: Ruhullah's attack on Abdullahs

Taking direct aim at the Abdullah family, Ruhullah accused the National Conference leadership of using his credibility, political influence and the trust of ordinary Kashmiris to regain power. He said the leadership had made several commitments between 2019 and Omar Abdullah becoming Chief Minister, but failed to honour them after securing office.

“You used the wrong person this time,” he said, warning the Abdullahs that they would now face the consequences of their actions.

Ruhullah said the leadership had used him for its political benefit and would now have to answer to the people. In a further attack, he told the Abdullahs to "take out your England passport and also apply for citizenship there", adding that he and honest Kashmiris would work to remove them from the positions they had secured by using the trust of ordinary people.

He warned that their political downfall would not be temporary and said he would work to bring them down permanently from Jammu and Kashmir politics.

‘Kashmir will set its own agenda, not Delhi’

Ruhullah also turned his criticism towards New Delhi and national political parties, declaring that Kashmir and Jammu would no longer speak according to the wishes of the Centre.

Recalling the message he had earlier tried to convey through the political leadership, he said the people of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh would not compromise on their self-respect and dignity, which he described as constitutional rights.

He accused the Centre of weakening the voices of those who were expected to carry this message to Delhi and urged it to change its approach.

“Whether Hindustan belongs to the RSS, the BJP, the Congress, or anyone else, get used to the fact that Kashmir and Jammu will talk to you on their own terms. They will not talk according to your words. They will not talk according to your wishes. They will talk based on their own wishes and their constitutional rights,” he said.

“We will set the agenda. The Centre will not decide the agenda for us. We will set the delegates’ voice ourselves for our own state. No Member of Parliament sitting in Delhi will decide delegates for us,” he added.

His remarks drew strong applause from the gathering and underlined his position that any future engagement with the Centre must be guided by the wishes and constitutional rights of the people of the region.

Article 370, reservations and prisoners among key issues

At the heart of Ruhullah's decision to part ways with the National Conference is what he described as the party's reversal on its electoral promises, particularly its commitment to fight for the restoration of Article 370 and protect Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional rights.

He also raised concerns over the reservation policy and the continued detention of prisoners, arguing that he could not remain associated with what he called a politics of deception.

“Either there is honour, or there is politics. There is no politics without honour,” he said.

Ruhullah maintained that politics should not be limited to ministerial positions and the pursuit of power while basic public concerns, including access to drinking water, remain unaddressed.

Invoking religious teachings, he called for patience, justice and equality, stressing that the dignity and rights of all communities, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Dogras, must be respected.

Despite his departure from the National Conference, Ruhullah made it clear that his political opposition remained directed against the BJP. He urged people, particularly the youth, to continue their struggle and support a new political beginning based on principles rather than compromise.

Major political setback for National Conference

Ruhullah's exit marks a significant organisational and ideological setback for the National Conference. Once one of the party's most effective young campaigners, with considerable influence in Budgam, Srinagar and other areas, he had increasingly emerged as a vocal critic of its post-election approach.

By resigning from both the party and his Lok Sabha seat, Ruhullah has chosen not to remain a parliamentarian while opposing the leadership that had given him the ticket.

The large turnout at the Budgam rally also demonstrated his ability to mobilise support independently.

The challenge for the Abdullah family is now twofold: managing the fallout within the party and responding to Ruhullah's allegation that the trust of ordinary Kashmiris and leaders like him was used to secure power, only for the promises made to them to be abandoned.

His message to the Centre and national political parties was equally direct: Kashmir and Jammu will decide their own agenda and speak in their own voice.