ibn sultan
Srinagar, August 16, 2026: Senior Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) leader and Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has said that he has made up his mind to resign from the party, citing deep differences with its leadership over its political approach towards Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to The Decifer over the phone, Mehdi said the party had failed to change its approach, policy and functioning.
“I have made up my mind to resign from the NC as the party is not changing anything,” Mehdi said.
Asked whether anything could make him reconsider his decision, he said there would have to be a “drastic change” in the party’s approach, policy and functioning. He added that he would speak in greater detail about his decision soon.
Mehdi has increasingly differed with the NC leadership over the party’s approach to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional status. While he has consistently advocated the restoration of the constitutional protections associated with Article 370, the NC government has primarily focused on securing the restoration of statehood.
The differences have become more visible since the NC returned to power in Jammu and Kashmir in 2024. Mehdi has repeatedly questioned the government’s approach to statehood restoration and the implementation of the party’s election manifesto.
Mehdi Accuses Party of Betraying People’s Mandate
In an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, Mehdi had indicated that his association with the NC could soon come to an end.
He said his differences with the party stemmed from what he described as a failure to honour the political mandate given by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Mehdi, demanding accountability and questioning whether the party was following its commitments had made him increasingly uncomfortable within the party.
He has also criticised the NC for focusing primarily on statehood, arguing that the party had moved away from its earlier commitment to restoring the constitutional protections and guarantees that Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed under Article 370.
Calls for Restoration of Constitutional Guarantees
Mehdi has maintained that the restoration of the rights and constitutional protections that were removed in 2019 remains his political objective.
He has also warned that accepting the restoration of statehood alone could eventually turn it into a permanent settlement, leaving the larger issue of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s former constitutional position unresolved.
Referring to the 1975 accord, Mehdi argued that accepting what was immediately achievable in the past had resulted in the larger political demand for restoration of the pre-1953 position remaining unfulfilled.
“I Am Not Going Against the Party”
Defending his position, Mehdi said his actions were consistent with the NC’s manifesto and the promises made to the people during elections.
He argued that those compromising on the commitments made to voters should be questioned, rather than those demanding accountability.
Mehdi’s announcement, if followed by a formal resignation, could mark a significant political development within the National Conference, given his position as the party’s Srinagar MP and his increasingly public differences with its leadership.
