Break-up inevitable? Farooq Abdullah’s swipe at party MP Ruhullah sparks resignation buzz

The rift between the National Conference and its Member of Parliament, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, appears to be heading towards an inevitable break. National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah publicly challenged Ruhullah to seek a fresh mandate outside the party, to which Ruhullah hinted at his possible exit. "I will respond to it (senior Abdullah’s call for resignation) in detail over the next few days," Ruhullah said.

The rift has grown between Ruhullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who share increasing political differences. Ruhullah has criticized the party for backing away from promises made during the 2024 J&K Assembly elections and abandoning the fight for Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional rights, which were revoked on August 5, 2019.

Farooq, Ruhullah's father, brought him into politics in 2000 after his father's death. The cracks in the relationship became apparent in December 2024 when Ruhullah joined a student protest demanding reservation reform. Farooq recently called for Ruhullah's resignation, further diminishing prospects for reconciliation.