National Conference leaders allege BJP engineered Ruhullah Mehdi's exit
MLA Salman Sagar claimed the resignation of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi is part of a BJP strategy called Operation Lotus.
National Conference leaders on Wednesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of engineering the exit of Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi from the party. According to reports from Daily Excelsior and WION, MLA Salman Sagar described the development as "Operation Lotus," alleging the BJP had succeeded in getting the MP to leave the organisation to weaken it.
Mehdi resigned from his Lok Sabha seat and the National Conference on November 3 during an event in Budgam. He had accused the party leadership, specifically Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, of failing to fulfil promises regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
Addressing a press conference, Sagar stated that the departure of one individual would not undermine the party's mission to restore Article 370 and Article 35A. He argued that if Mehdi had grievances, he should have raised them internally rather than resigning after 25 years in the party.
MLA Sajad Shaheen also spoke at the press conference, stating that the National Conference is not dependent on any single person and would remain strong. Shaheen criticised the language Mehdi allegedly used against the leadership and questioned why he had not directed his criticism toward the BJP.
The BJP has denied any involvement in the internal rift of the regional party. However, BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav remarked that Mehdi's rally in Budgam was held with the blessings of his party and its supporters.