Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi resigns from National Conference

Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, the Member of Parliament for Srinagar, has resigned from the National Conference and his parliamentary seat. The decision, announced on November 3, 2026, follows long-standing ideological disagreements with party leadership, specifically Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Mehdi cited a loss of faith in the party’s commitment to core principles, accusing Abdullah of diluting the party’s stance on the restoration of Article 370 and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. He described the leadership's recent direction as a betrayal of the party's ideology.

The resignation occurs amid significant internal pressure on the ruling National Conference. Reports indicate that 25 party MLAs have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Abdullah seeking sweeping changes to the government's functioning and a cabinet reshuffle. Mehdi’s departure marks the end of a 24-year association with the party and is viewed by some lawmakers as a major loss for the region.