It won’t make any difference: Mahmood
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 20: Ahead of bypolls in Budgam constituency, the ruling National Conference (NC) today suffered a major jolt with Member Parliament of the party Aga Ruhullah Mehdi sidestepping the campaign.
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Ruhullah who is the main face of the NC in the constituency today opted out of the campaign for the NC candidate Aga Syed Mahood who filed his nomination papers earlier in the day.
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“My loyalty is to my conscience and principles. While I hold respect for my elders in my family, I request them not to belittle my fight. If they cannot comprehend it and be part of it, at least do not drag me and my struggle to this level,” Ruhullah posted on X.
Ruhullah issued a public notice warning political parties, campaign workers, and social media users to immediately stop using his photos or videos in connection with the Budgam by-election.
The notice stated that any unauthorized use of Ruhullah’s image for campaigning could lead to legal and disciplinary action.
The NC MP is already at loggerheads with his party’s policies post formation of the government. He has been accusing the Omar-led government of backtracking on the promises made with the people during 2024 Assembly elections.
Earlier, the NC candidate Aga Mahmood today said that Aga Ruhullah owes his political rise to the NC and should have no hesitation in campaigning for the party.
Speaking to reporters ahead of filing his nomination papers, Mahmood said Ruhullah’s absence from the campaign trail would not make much difference as the party enjoys a strong support base in the constituency.
“He is a man of the party—why wouldn’t he campaign? I don’t know what he has decided, but I will talk to him,” Mahmood said.
He stressed that Ruhullah “must campaign for the party,” as he owes his political rise to the NC.
“He was an MLA since 2002 for 18 years at a young age, and now he is an MP. Why wouldn’t he work for the party that made him?” he said.
“Even without his campaigning, it will make no difference. The NC has its own base, and even he was created by the NC. He is part of the party, and it is the NC that is fighting this election,” he said.
When asked if he had approached Ruhullah regarding the campaign, Mahmood replied: “I have approached him. He is like my son; I will speak with him again, and we will discuss it.”
He also dismissed any notion of discord within the party regarding Ruhullah.
Mahmood said issues such as the restoration of statehood, Article 370, and 35-A are not Ruhullah’s personal concerns but the collective stand of the party.
“These are party issues, not individual ones. He speaks rightly about them, and the party continues to work on them. The Chief Minister will not compromise on these matters,” he said.
On other candidates in the fray Mahmood said: “Anyone can contest elections—it’s a democracy. People will decide whom they trust. I seek people’s support and hope they give me a chance to represent them.
He also noted that Budgam has developed slowly and should have been like Srinagar by now. “I will do my best to address the people’s issues.”
On the party’s nomination, he said he was prepared to contest from Budgam and would have supported any other candidate had the party chosen differently.
“There were no differences. Anyone can seek the mandate, but the final decision rests with the party leadership,” he said.
On the party manifesto, Mahmood said it had not been derailed. “We are all human. How can people judge our performance in one year when we were given a five-year term—and that too under dual administration?” he asked.
Still, despite challenges, he said, CM has fulfilled the promise of Darbar Move while the Cabinet has sent the file on reservation to the LG. “The CSC report has been submitted, and now it is for the LG to approve it.”
The Budgam Assembly by-election is scheduled for November 11, with counting of votes on November 14.
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