MP Ruhullah Rebuts Omar’s ‘Political Suicide’ Jibe, Says His Stand Is About People, Not Power

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) leader and Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Sunday pushed back strongly against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent comment that he had committed “political suicide” in Budgam, asserting that his politics is rooted in people’s rights rather than electoral ambitions.

Ruhullah, who returned from an official visit to Germany to an enthusiastic welcome, told reporters that he has no interest in contesting for the Union Territory Assembly. “Becoming an MLA has never been my priority,” he said, adding that Omar Abdullah’s assessment “reflects a limited way of thinking.”

He remarked, “Even at a time like this, his concern appears to revolve around Assembly seats and political positioning. I have made it clear already, I do not wish to be part of the UT Assembly. Our struggle is about the political, religious, and social rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, not about securing MLA berths.”

Taking a dig at Omar’s “political suicide” remark, Ruhullah questioned whether such comments take into account the larger issues facing the region. “If he talks of political suicide, does he also acknowledge how our people’s rights are being eroded? Our collective effort should focus on safeguarding those rights,” he said.

On the recent tragedies, the Delhi attack and the accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station, Ruhullah expressed solidarity with the affected families. “We have lived through such pain ourselves. We fully empathise with those who’ve lost loved ones,” he said.

He also criticised the BJP-led central government, stating that repeated militant attacks over the past decade were being weaponised politically instead of being addressed responsibly. “For 11 years, innocent people have been dying in attacks across the country, yet the government turns each tragedy into a communal narrative. When will accountability come?” he asked.

Ruhullah said the government cannot deflect from its failures “by stoking hostility against Muslims, especially Kashmiris,” adding that officials responsible for security should have been held answerable long ago.

Addressing the presence of his posters during PDP’s celebrations following Aga Muntazir Mehdi’s win in the Budgam by-election, Ruhullah said the display reflected the public’s sentiment rather than any political alignment on his part. “People made their choice with clarity. Their voice should not be diminished to suit anyone’s convenience,” he said.

He further said that he neither campaigned for nor against any party during the by-election. “I simply told my people the truth of the situation. The choice remained theirs.”

Calling for introspection within his own party, Ruhullah said the NC still has time to reconnect with public sentiment. “A year’s journey offers enough lessons. We must understand where the people stand and realign ourselves accordingly,” he added.