Ruhullah not invited to meeting
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 27: The issue of Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s rebellion against the party dominated the National Conference’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting today with members unanimously saying that anti-party activities won’t be tolerated.
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The meeting was chaired by NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and attended by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, all Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and senior leaders of the party. However, Ruhullah was not invited to the party meeting despite being the NC CWC member since 2002.
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The issue of the electoral debacle in Budgam as well as the rebellion of Agha Ruhullah dominated the discussion. On Budgam defeat, party leaders suggested that legislators and Ministers should reach out to the people and address their grievances.
Majority of the party leaders told the meeting that anti-party activities of Ruhullah should not be tolerated. They said that the fate of Ruhullah would be the same which was the fate of the NC leaders who went against the party in the past. “The party should take a decision on him so that no one goes against the party,” said a few members.
Sources said that the NC leader Agha Mahmood was most vocal against Ruhullah. “He told the meeting that Ruhullah doesn’t stand anywhere without the party support and suggested strong against him for anti-party activities,” they added.
Sources further said that the Chief Minister echoed the members’ views and said that no leader is above the party and any anti-party activity won’t be tolerated.
The NC president stressed the need to strengthen the party at all levels. “We should work for strengthening NC at every level,” he reportedly said.
“Abdullah told party leaders that strengthening the organisation would also strengthen the Government. He directed the leadership to take all necessary measures and reforms to strengthen the organisation”.
“Chief Minister urged party leaders to express their views and sought suggestions for making the party strong. He also intervened intermittently, explaining the challenges faced by the Government in governance due to the dual power structure.”
Sources said that some of the legislators voiced their anger against the Ministers who as per them failed to deliver and resolve the issues of the people. They said that there was a strong argument between NC leader Nazir Ahmad Khan and Minister Sakeena Itoo over vacant posts in the Health Department.
Advisor to Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani when asked about the NC CWC meeting told reporters that it was too early to talk about the meeting.
“You also understand that it is a two-day Working Committee session. Right now, we are having discussions. We have many members. It looks like 19-20 people have given their opinions”, he said.
Asked whether Ruhullah was invited, Wani said, “No, he was not invited.”
The Minister for Health, Education and Social Welfare, Sakina Itoo, told reporters that the working committee meeting is nothing new. “We have been conducting the meeting once in six months, and members share their experience at district and zonal levels, and their experiences are listened to,” she said.
MLA Mir Saifullah told reporters that the party issues and matters were discussed. “The issues of the people were also discussed, and how to solve them. That’s all. Nothing more than that,” he added.
Asked about the Budgam loss, Mir said, “Look, I will tell you one thing. Defeats and wins are always there. If we lose today, we will win tomorrow. Every issue was discussed. The issue about meters and electricity is being discussed. Let’s see what the final decision is.”
MLA Salman Ali Sagar said that issues of strengthening the party and dealing with day-to-day governance issues were discussed in the meeting. “The party president took first-hand feedback, and the CM noted it and assured that help will be provided in the best possible manner on issues raised by the MLAs. This meeting will be important for both the party and the people,” he said.
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