National Conference Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday dismissed speculation about floating a new political party, saying the media appeared more eager than him to see such a development.
Speaking to reporters in Budgam, Ruhullah, said he has not formed any party yet. “It is the media that seems more desirous than me to form a new party. If you want to make a new party, do it, then I will see whether it is a good party and join it.”
On the National Conference’s proposed Jantar Mantar protest, Ruhullah reiterated that he would not participate, saying the people’s mandate was for the restoration of Article 370 and not merely statehood.
“I have made it clear that I am not joining the protest. Our responsibility is to fight for Article 370 because it is linked to our identity and dignity. People gave us the mandate for Article 370, not for statehood,” he said.
He alleged that shifting the political discourse towards statehood alone suited the BJP’s agenda.
“It is the BJP’s agenda that we forget everything else and demand only statehood. The last 70 years have shown that whatever has been snatched from us has never been returned. If we fail to learn from history, it will not be good,” he said.
Responding to a question on allegations of horse-trading and attempts by the BJP to engineer defections within the National Conference, Ruhullah said horse-trading had no place in a democracy, irrespective of the political party involved.
“Anyone indulging in horse-trading in a democracy is not justified. I am against horse-trading, no matter which party is involved. The BJP has normalised this practice, where people’s mandate is undermined through such means, and that is dangerous for democracy,” he said.
