NC MP Ruhullah says not invited to crucial party meeting in Srinagar

In a snub to party MP Aga Ruhullah, the ruling National Conference did not invite him to the two-day crucial working committee meeting that began on Thursday in Srinagar.

The meeting was convened by NC president Farooq Abdullah. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present in the meeting in which other MPs, MLAs and ministers, except Ruhullah, were invited.

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CM’s political advisor Nasir Aslam Wani confirmed to newsmen that Ruhullah was not invited to the working committee meeting.

During his visit to Ganderbal, Ruhullah also said that he was not invited to the meeting and described it as the first such instance since 2002.

It is worth mentioning that after winning the Lok Sabha election from the Srinagar seat, Ruhullah has publicly been criticising his own party’s government headed by Omar Abdullah.

He did not campaign for the NC candidates during the recent by-polls for the Budgam and Nagrota assembly seats which the ruling party lost. Instead, he continued to issue statements against the unfulfilled promises of the NC after coming to power.

Ruhullah had some time ago led a procession of students to CM Omar Abdullah’s residence.

Ruhullah told reporters at Ganderbal that he was a permanent member of the working committee since 2002 and “this is the first time I have not been invited to the meeting”.

He said his disagreement with the party leadership stemmed from the mandate sought from the public in the 2024 elections. “We promised to fight for the return of protections under the Article 370 that was snatched away in 2019”.

Meanwhile, comprehensive deliberations on key party affairs, public issues, and ongoing political activities were being held during the two-day working committee meeting.

The deliberations are aimed at strengthening the party’s outreach, reviewing current developments, and charting the future course of action, a NC leader said.