Srinagar, Apr 15: Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah Mehdi has said the National Conference leadership distanced itself from him after he publicly stood with students protesting against the reservation policy last year.
Speaking during a live session on X (formerly Twitter), Ruhullah said his views were once considered important within the party, but things changed after he supported students who gathered near the Chief Minister’s residence on December 23.
“Until the Assembly elections, I was consulted and my views mattered. Even when the party didn’t agree with my ways, my ideas were still heard. But everything changed after the student protest,” he said.
Ruhullah said the party had included him in key decisions until just before the Assembly elections. “After that, no one asked for my input anymore. Despite being the MP from Srinagar, my political suggestions are no longer welcome,” he added.
The MP said he had avoided direct confrontation with the party because he understood the need to maintain political balance. “I didn’t want to create problems for the leadership. I know they have to manage relations with the Centre. That’s why I stayed silent,” he said. “But I stood with the students because it was the right thing to do. If that’s seen as wrong by some, I have no regrets.”
Mehdi said the protest he attended was not something he organised. “Students had gathered on their own because they felt the reservation policy was unfair. I simply stood with them. If that helped their voices be heard, I’ve done my duty,” he said.
Ruhullah also spoke about the emotional toll of being sidelined by his party. “This gap between me and my party is painful. I still feel a responsibility to speak up for the people, both inside and outside the party,” he said. “My politics is based on conscience, not ambition. I don’t need to prove myself to anyone. I answer only to God.”
The NC leader said he has no issues being misunderstood or criticised if standing by students cost him his position in the party. “If that’s the price of doing the right thing, so be it,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the new reservation policy in question reduced open merit seats to nearly 30%, with the rest reserved for various categories which led to widespread protests, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to promise that a Cabinet subcommittee would review the matter.
