Tanveer Hussain
Budgam: Javaid Rana, a minister in the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet, expressed confidence that Member Parliament Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi will continue to strengthen the National Conference both in Parliament and on the ground.
Speaking at an election rally in Budgam, Rana described Ruhullah as “a senior and great leader” of the National Conference. During his address, the minister said that: “Ruhullah Sahib belongs to our National Conference and has always represented the party with conviction. He is one of our senior-most and respected leaders.”
He further revealed that Dr Farooq Abdullah had personally persuaded Ruhullah to contest the Parliamentary elections from Central Kashmir while the latter was in Iran and initially reluctant to enter the fray. “It was at the insistence of Dr Farooq Abdullah that Ruhullah agreed to contest,” Rana told the gathering.
Pertinently, the MP has remained at odds with the National Conference over several policy positions and has notably abstained from campaigning for NC candidate in the Assembly elections, signaling continuing internal discord within the party. [KNT]
