In 2024, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency on a National Conference ticket. Things appeared to be going smoothly until the formation of the government under Omar Abdullah. A few months after Omar Abdullah took over as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Aga Ruhullah began raising certain genuine issues and asked his party leadership to clarify its position. The differences continued and gradually reached a point where both sides seemed to be trying to belittle and silence each other.

Aga Ruhullah raised sensitive but genuine issues, including the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood, the government’s job reservation policy, the plight of imprisoned youth and the regularisation of daily wagers. The restoration of special status and statehood rests largely with the Central Government. On the other issues, the National Conference government may have tried to find solutions, but its limited powers under the Union Territory arrangement make it difficult to fulfil these promises in the near future.

Whatever the demands of this young and outspoken MP, his decision to part ways with his party and resign from Parliament is a major step, with far-reaching consequences for his political career and for Kashmir’s political landscape. On 3 November 2026, Aga Ruhullah announced his resignation from both the National Conference and Parliament at a gathering in Budgam. His parliamentary resignation was subsequently accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker with effect from the same date. It is not a decision that can be treated........

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