Ruhullah's exit from NC is a BJP success, say party leaders
National Conference leaders claim the departure of MP Aga Syed Ruhullah is an attempt to disempower the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ruling National Conference (NC) on Tuesday said the exit of Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Syed Ruhullah from the party and his Lok Sabha seat is a fresh attempt to disempower the people of Jammu and Kashmir. According to The Hindu, the party termed the move as 'Operation Lotus'.
NC leader and legislator Sajad Shaheen said the situation seems like a repetition of attempts to erode the political setup in 1953 and 1984. Shaheen questioned if BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav's statement regarding Ruhullah was a coincidence and said Ruhullah owes his existence to the NC.
Shaheen further accused Ruhullah of duplicity for not raising issues such as stalling reservation rationalisation against the BJP and the Lieutenant Governor. He described Ruhullah's tenure as an MP as dismal and said he betrayed the party and the electorate.
NC legislator Salman Sagar said the BJP succeeded in Ruhullah's exit and implemented 'Operation Lotus' with his help. Sagar rejected Ruhullah's claim that the NC is abandoning Article 370 and 35A, stating that abandoning these demands would be political suicide.
Sagar also alleged that Ruhullah has an ego issue with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He stated that instead of resigning, Ruhullah should have raised concerns within the party organisational structure.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary also criticised Ruhullah, stating that the remarks made by Ram Madhav were proof that Ruhullah was working under the direction of the BJP.