Rift in the Valley: Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi Set to Resign Over Article 370

Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced plans to resign from Parliament and the National Conference, citing ideological differences over the party's dilution of its core electoral promises.

Srinagar Lok Sabha Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi announced on Friday that he will resign from the Lok Sabha and the primary membership of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on November 3. The decision follows a public challenge by NC president Farooq Abdullah, intensifying a long-standing internal rift over the party's stance on the restoration of Article 370. Mehdi stated that his departure serves as a protest against what he termed a betrayal of the promises made to the electorate during the 2024 assembly and general elections.

Ideological Divergence and Party Stance

The core of the dispute stems from diverging views on Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status. According to Mehdi, the NC leadership has backtracked on its commitment to fight for the reinstatement of Articles 370 and 35A, which were abrogated in August 2019. Instead, he argued that the party has narrowed its political objectives to merely advocating for statehood. Mehdi contended in a public letter that accepting statehood as the final goal legitimizes the 2019 central government decisions and compromises regional protections regarding land, employment, and cultural identity.

Leadership Response and Political Escalation

The rift widened following public remarks by NC president Farooq Abdullah, who challenged critics of the party line to resign and seek a fresh mandate. This followed months of strained relations, notably exacerbated during local by-elections where Mehdi distanced himself from official party campaigns. Responding to the party leadership's assertions, Mehdi confirmed he will submit his formal resignation letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and the party president on November 3—coinciding with the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi.

Official Statements and Outlook

Organizers stated that Mehdi plans to consult local constituents in his stronghold of Budgam following his formal exit. He indicated a strong possibility of contesting a fresh mandate as an independent candidate in any subsequent parliamentary by-election.

"Rest assured, the resignation will come. It would have come even without you asking, but before that must come accountability," Mehdi wrote in his open letter to the party leadership.

The departure poses a notable political challenge for the National Conference, reducing its footprint in Parliament and highlighting internal dissent over regional autonomy strategies.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Announcement Date: August 28–29, 2026

• Scheduled Resignation Date: November 3, 2026

• Constituency: Srinagar Lok Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir

• Core Issue: Ideological disagreement over the push for Article 370 versus statehood alone

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is Aga Ruhullah Mehdi resigning? He is stepping down due to ideological differences with the NC leadership over abandoning the core demand for restoring Article 370.

• When will the resignation take effect? Mehdi announced he will submit his papers on November 3.

• Will he contest future elections? He indicated he may run as an independent candidate in a subsequent by-election after consulting his constituents.

• What is the National Conference's position? The leadership has challenged critics questioning the party's pragmatic focus on statehood to seek a fresh mandate.

Source: Statements from Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, open correspondence published via social media, and official reports from the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference.