Srinagar, Dec 24: The National Conference (NC) is experiencing internal tensions following MP Aga Ruhullah’s participation in a protest against the reservation policy. NC legislator Salman Sagar expressed discontent on Tuesday, stating that Ruhullah has compromised the party’s interests by offering a platform to its detractors.
“What he did was wrong. In my opinion, it was unacceptable. He gave a platform to the enemies of the National Conference through these protests,” Sagar commented to journalists.
He was referring to Ruhullah’s involvement in student protests regarding the current reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, which took place on Monday outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence. Other political figures, including PDP leaders Waheed Para and Iltija Mufti, joined the protests to show solidarity.
Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, currently under house arrest, also expressed support for the call to “rationalise” quota allocations for reserved categories.
After engaging with the protesting students, Chief Minister Abdullah stated on X that communication channels would remain open “without any intermediaries or hangers-on.”
Sagar remarked that Ruhullah’s participation at the protests has caused “more harm than benefit” to the efforts of the merit students.
“This is not democracy. Every party has its own discipline. He should have raised his concerns internally. It is disrespectful to the chief minister and our party to engage in such theatrics,” said the MLA representing Hazratbal.
However, Sagar affirmed his support for the cause of general category students advocating for the rationalisation of quotas.
He dismissed the notion that the protests represented an internal party conflict.
“Did you see any other NC leader there? He was present in his role as an MP. You won’t find any true NC leader in such gatherings,” he stated.
Following the meeting with Abdullah, student leaders reported that he assured them the cabinet sub-committee reviewing the reservation policy would deliver its report within six months.
The students are protesting against the reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir that was established after the abrogation of Article 370.
Meanwhile, Peoples’ Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti urged the chief minister on Tuesday to find a solution to the reservation issue. Speaking to the media, Mufti noted that the residents of J-K, especially the youth, supported the National Conference in the assembly elections to ensure rationalisation of reservations and the safeguarding of rights.
“We don’t want politics involved, but we are cornering open merit students. The chief minister has requested six months. The NC boasts three MPs, including one from Ladakh, and 50 MLAs—why the need for six months? They may be hoping for a court decision that absolves them from taking action,” Mufti criticized.
