National Conference (NC) MP Aga Syed Ruhullah on Thursday said he was not invited to the party’s Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Srinagar, marking what he described as the first such instance since 2002.
The MP was speaking to reporters during his visit to Tulmulla in Ganderbal, where he held an interaction with locals to discuss administrative issues.Ruhullah said he had come on the invitation of residents to understand the concerns that needed to be taken up with authorities. “If there are issues at the central government level, they will be raised accordingly. If matters are local, they too will be taken up. I came here with that responsibility,” he said.Asked about the CWC meeting, Ruhullah said he had no direct information about it. “If the working committee meeting is going on, I have been a permanent member since 2002. This is the first time I have not been invited,” he said.
Responding to reports circulating on social media about his formation of a new party, Ruhullah denied keeping a distance from the NC to float a separate political outfit.
He said his disagreement with the party leadership stemmed from the mandate sought from the public in the 2024 elections. “We promised to fight for the return of protections taken through Article 370. We cannot use the language of the BJP after taking votes in that name,” he said.
On the bulldozer action in Ganderbal, Ruhullah questioned the absence of local representatives. “We voted for representatives to protect, defend and speak for the people. If there were encroachments, the law could have taken its course. But why were elected representatives not on the front?” he asked.
Ruhullah also reiterated his stance on the issue of over-aged aspirants in recruitment exams, urging the government to resolve it within a month. He said he would sit in protest if the matter remained unaddressed.
He added that he would continue to pursue development work in his constituency, including the installation of CT scan machines in district hospitals and the widening of key road stretches.(KNS).