# Kashmiri MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi Resigns from National Conference The prominent Shia cleric exits the Lok Sabha citing deep political disagreements. - **Source:** [Scroll.in](https://scroll.in) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4a81dc35-9f45-49db-9b4e-8a7bdfa279c9 ## Sudden Parliamentary Departure Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi officially resigned from the National Conference and his Lok Sabha seat this Tuesday. The 48-year-old politician announced his decision during a large public gathering in Budgam. This move marks the end of a nearly twenty-five-year association with the party, signaling a significant shift in regional political dynamics. ## Targeting Party Leadership Ruhullah delivered a sharp critique of the National Conference during his resignation speech. He specifically targeted party President Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This public confrontation highlights the deepening internal fractures within the party, which has long dominated the political landscape of the Kashmir region for several decades. ## Policy Disagreements Emerge The resignation stems from Ruhullah's frustration regarding the party's stance on Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional status. He has been a vocal critic of the Union government's 2019 decision to scrap the region's special status. Ruhullah believes the party failed to prioritize the restoration of statehood and constitutional protections in its primary agenda. ## Growing Internal Isolation Observers in Kashmir noted that this departure was not entirely unexpected due to his increasing isolation within the National Conference. As a prominent Shia cleric, his influence extends beyond traditional politics. His vocal opposition to the central government's policies created friction with the party leadership, eventually leading to this definitive political break. ## Context of 2019 Changes In August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government downgraded Jammu and Kashmir to a Union Territory. This legislative action removed the region's special constitutional status, sparking intense debate. Ruhullah has consistently argued that the political establishment must challenge these changes more aggressively to represent the interests of the Kashmiri people. ## Electoral Landscape Shifts The resignation occurs as the region prepares for its first Assembly elections since the 2019 reorganization. These elections are critical for determining the future governance of the Union Territory. Ruhullah's exit forces the National Conference to navigate a complex electoral environment while losing a key figure who commanded significant grassroots religious support. ## Symbolic Political Warning Analysts suggest that Delhi should view this resignation as a loud warning regarding the sentiments in Kashmir. By shunning his seat of power, Ruhullah highlights the disillusionment felt by those who demand a stronger stance on regional autonomy. His departure underscores the difficulty of maintaining traditional party structures amid intense public pressure. ## Future Political Implications The departure of a leader with both religious and political capital creates a vacuum in the local power structure. It remains to be seen how the National Conference will address the grievances raised by Ruhullah. This development could potentially influence voter behavior and party alignments in the upcoming assembly election cycle ahead. ## Sources covering this story - https://scroll.in/article/1096944/why-delhi-should-take-mp-ruhullahs-resignation-as-a-loud-warning-from-kashmir?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=public — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._