Senior National Conference leader Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday resigned from the post of chief spokesperson of the party, saying that from now on none of his statements should be attributed to NC.
The development has once again highlighted apparent differences within NC leadership over its course of action in view of abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The resignation also holds significance as it comes a day after former CM and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah stated that he would not contest in any J&K polls till it remains a Union Territory.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Omar Abdullah said he may not contest elections even if statehood was restored. However, he said the party will chart its own course when all the leaders are set free and given a chance to talk.
“I have sent across my resignation from the post of Chief Spokesperson of @JKNC_. From here on none of my statements should be considered as such,” Mr Mehdi, a former cabinet minister and three-time legislator from Budgam assembly constituency of central Kashmir, wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
“The restoration of statehood should be the least of the demands. It should be the last demand. Our main demand should be restoration of special status,” the influential Shia leader, who remained under house arrest, tweeted.
The cracks within the party over the further course of action first surfaced in May, when Mr Mehdi, after engaging in war of words with another senior NC leader Tanvir Sadiq, removed his designation as NC party chief spokesperson from his Twitter handle bio.
In a series of tweets, Omar Abdullah, said, “I have no problem being disagreed with for what I say or do but when you invent things & put words in my mouth to attack me then that’s more about you than about me. All you lazy journalists & commentators please show me where I’ve demanded statehood be restored.”
“I’ve simply said that having been CM of the STATE of J&K I will not fight an assembly election to the assembly of the UT of J&K. That’s it. No more no less! That’s a far cry from saying I’m demanding statehood be restored,” he said.
“Haters will hate & nothing will change that. There are a few people from whom I expected better but disappointment is part of politics & one has learnt to live with it. Life goes on,” he said.
“The impression is being created that only statehood is required & all other aspects of 5th Aug have been washed away. That’s lazy & misleading. I’m have never placed statehood restoration above the fight for J&K’s special status yet the 370 comments get wiped out,” he wrote.
“I may not, but the party will chart its own course when all the leaders are set free and given a chance to talk. I’ve made it clear that these are ONLY my thoughts, I am not speaking for the party. The party and its leaders will formulate our policy, not me as an individual,” he added.