Srinagar Lok Sabha member Aga Syed Ruhullah has decided to resign from Parliament and relinquish the primary membership of the National Conference amid a deepening rift with the party over what he described as “ideological” differences, a media report said on Friday.
Speaking to NDTV, Ruhullah said, “Yes, I am resigning from the party and as Srinagar MP.”
Ruhullah said he would formally tender his resignation to Lok Sabha Speaker and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on November 3, which marks the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi.Ruhullah said he needed to disburse funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) before stepping down.
He said he has also invited several MPs to Srinagar for a conference as part of his efforts to seek restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s constitutional rights.
“I have a few commitments before I formally submit my resignation,” he said, adding that the MPLADS funds would be disbursed before he takes the final step.
Earlier this week, NC President Farooq Abdullah challenged Ruhullah to resign as a Lok Sabha member and seek a fresh mandate from the people.
Farooq had said that if Ruhullah believed his 2024 Lok Sabha victory was based on his own support rather than the National Conference organisation, he should resign and return to the electorate.
“Resign from Parliament and come back to the people. Let us see who votes for you,” Farooq had said.