Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
National Conference (NC) MLA Salman Ali Sagar on Wednesday accused the BJP of orchestrating what he described as ‘Operation Lotus’ to push Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi out of the party, while asserting that his departure would have no impact on the NC’s organisational strength.
Addressing a joint press conference with Banihal MLA Sajad Shaheen at the party headquarters, Nawai Subah, Sagar said Ruhullah was entitled to question the leadership and express dissent, but maintained that his grievances should have been addressed through the party’s internal mechanisms.
“I feel the BJP has succeeded in its Operation Lotus, particularly in pushing Aga Ruhullah Sahib out of the National Conference,” Sagar said.
He alleged that the BJP had long been attempting to weaken the NC and claimed that the latest developments had served its political interests in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the episode should be viewed in the wider context of the BJP’s political ambitions in the region.
Describing Ruhullah’s departure as unfortunate for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Sagar said the NC was a democratic organisation where members were free to express their views, question decisions and exercise independent judgement.
However, he criticised the language used by the MP against the party leadership, describing it as unfortunate.
Sagar also questioned Ruhullah’s engagement with the party organisation, claiming that the MP had not regularly visited the party headquarters or participated in its meetings. He said Ruhullah should have consulted party MLAs and other stakeholders before taking such a significant decision.
Maintaining that differences within the party could have been resolved through dialogue, Sagar questioned whether sufficient efforts had been made to communicate with elected representatives before the decision was taken.
Rejecting suggestions that the episode reflected a crisis within the NC, the MLA said the party’s strength stemmed from its collective leadership and public mandate rather than any individual.
He said people had voted the NC to power to prevent the political disempowerment of a community and not to place their trust in any one particular leader.
Referring to Articles 370 and 35A, Sagar asserted that the party’s position on the constitutional provisions remained unchanged and should not be confused with its differences with an individual leader.
He added that claims about political influence and public support would ultimately be tested through elections, maintaining that no individual could claim exclusive representation of the people.
Invoking the NC’s historical legacy, Sagar said the sacrifices of martyrs should not be dragged into political disputes. He also questioned Ruhullah’s efforts to remember and honour martyrs, including those associated with July 13.
Suggesting that an ego clash might have contributed to the differences, the NC MLA said further details about the circumstances surrounding the developments would emerge in the coming days.
