J&K: Tensions escalate within ruling NC over MP Ruhullah's protest against reservation policy

Aga Ruhullah's stance, which appeared critical of the party’s alignment on the issue, has drawn sharp responses from senior NC leader and MLA Salman Sagar, who questioned the firebrand MP's motives.

Srinagar: A day after ruling National Conference (NC) Member of Parliament (MP) Aga Ruhullah led a general category students’ protest against increasing reserved seats in education and jobs in Jammu and Kashmir, tensions within the party have escalated.

Ruhullah's stance, which appeared critical of the party’s alignment on the issue, has drawn sharp responses from senior NC leader and MLA Salman Sagar, who questioned the firebrand MP's motives.

"Who are you sitting with? With your enemies, who are always looking for opportunities to turn our good work into a disadvantage?" Sagar questioned.

He emphasized that while individuals may act on their own, "no one, including senior figures like Ruhullah Sahib, is above the party."

"Yesterday’s incident might have harmed Ruhullah Sahib’s image rather than benefiting it. The political color given to the event has made his position awkward and possibly led to a loss instead of a gain," the NC MLA said.

Comments of Sagar, whose father Ali Mohammad Sagar is the General Secretary of the NC, suggest deepening friction within the party, with a growing divide over how to address the reservation and other issues concerning the Union Territory (UT).

Peoples Democratic Party leaders Iltija Mufti and Waheed ur Rehman Para, and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Mattu were also part of the students march led by Ruhullah outside the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s posh Gupkar residence here.

Students are seeking reserved seats to be brought down to 25 per cent from the present nearly 60 per cent. They are also seeking the reversal of a government order allowing a reserved category student to opt for a general category seat on merit.

Adding to the controversy, MLA G A Mir from Congress, an ally of the NC in the coalition, also weighed in on Ruhullah’s protest. Mir suggested that Ruhullah could have approached the Chief Minister directly to address his concerns rather than using a public platform to make his case.

Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters here, he said, “Ruhullah was just a five minutes away from the CM and instead of opting for a camera show, the demands could have been raised with him directly."

“It has become a fashion now to get the camera's attention, otherwise the responsible MP from NC, could have behaved seriously," Mir added.