Says People’s Mandate Was for Restoration of Article 370, Not Just Statehood; Terms Horse-Trading a Threat to Democracy
Srinagar, July 14: National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday ruled out reports of launching a new political party and reiterated that he would not participate in the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, asserting that the people’s mandate was for the restoration of Article 370 rather than statehood alone.
Speaking to reporters in Budgam, as per news agency JKNS, Ruhullah dismissed speculation about floating a new political outfit, saying, “It is the media that seems more eager than me to form a new party. I have not formed any party.”
On the NC’s proposed protest in Delhi, he said he would not join the demonstration, maintaining that the party’s primary responsibility was to fight for the restoration of Article 370, which he described as being linked to the identity and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He alleged that reducing the political discourse to statehood alone suited the BJP’s agenda and warned against forgetting the larger constitutional issues.
Responding to a question on alleged horse-trading and attempts to engineer defections within the National Conference, Ruhullah said horse-trading had no place in a democracy, irrespective of the political party involved.
He termed the practice dangerous for democracy, saying it undermines the people’s mandate. (JKNS)
