NC Party Member Resigns Amid Discontent, Plans Public Outreach Campaign

The simmering discontent within the NC has now snowballed into open rebellion. Srinagar MP Agha Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has announced his resignation from both the Lok Sabha and the NC in November, accepting a challenge from party president Farooq Abdullah. By tendering his resignation on the death anniversary of his father Agha Syed Mehdi on November 3, Ruhullah has made it clear that his confrontation is not just with the party's policies but also with its top leadership. The by-election in Srinagar after his resignation could turn into a direct political battle of Ruhullah versus the NC. Ruhullah has long been questioning the political direction of the NC leadership. His biggest grouse is that after the changes in the provisions of Article 370, the party has not fought enough political battles to match its poll pitch on the issue of special constitutional status and restoration of rights. He alleges that after coming to power, the NC's thrust is now largely confined to restoring statehood. According to his close associates, he will spend the next two months campaigning in every town and village of Kashmir for a public outreach to Ruhullah.