KISHTWAR, Nov 6: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and Chenab Valley Region spokesperson Ajeet Bhagat on Friday strongly criticised Agha Ruhullah Mehdi over his recent remarks against the party leadership, describing his statements as a reflection of what he termed intellectual and moral bankruptcy and personal opportunism.
Bhagat said Ruhullah’s speech contained insulting and unparliamentary language directed at the National Conference leadership. He questioned the timing of Ruhullah’s decision to resign from the party, alleging that the issue of special status was being used as a pretext for personal interests.
Referring to the 2010 political developments, Bhagat said Ruhullah had voluntarily accepted a ministerial position at the time and subsequently contested the 2014 Assembly elections on the National Conference ticket. He questioned why the issue had resurfaced after several years.
Bhagat also questioned Ruhullah’s contribution as a Member of Parliament towards the restoration of Article 370, Article 35-A and statehood. He asked whether he had mobilised support among MPs, sought signatures or introduced any resolution or bill in Parliament on these issues.
He further questioned whether Ruhullah had raised concerns over the alleged interference of the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in departments under the elected government, employment opportunities for open-merit candidates, reservation-related decisions and alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Bhagat said the National Conference government had constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to examine changes in the reservation system in accordance with its election manifesto, but alleged that the decision was facing delays at higher levels.
He maintained that the National Conference had raised issues concerning people’s rights and governance under the Union Territory framework and urged public representatives to remain accountable for their parliamentary responsibilities.