Srinagar, Oct 27: In a sharp rebuttal to the National Conference (NC) leadership, senior party figure and Member of Parliament, Agha Syed Rahullah Mehdi, on Monday, said that politics in Jammu and Kashmir must rise above personal egos and focus instead on the suffering and aspirations of the people.
Reacting to what he described as personal attacks from within the party, Rahullah said he was prepared to face any challenge but would not allow people’s issues to be sidelined. “They are making it personal. If they want to fight based on ego, I am ready for that too,” he said. “But first, answer me, our issues are bigger than personal ego.”
Rahullah voiced anguish over the plight of hundreds of detainees and accused the government of failing to respond to the pain of ordinary Kashmiris. “Thousands of our men are languishing in jails. Do they even know their addresses? Where are the jobs? Our religion and culture are under attack, do we fight against that?” he asked.
He said his questions reflect not rebellion but accountability, the same accountability, he argued, that politics owes to the people. “I am nothing. I have no identity except the mandate that people have given me. They deserve answers. Did we do anything in a year for the incarcerated youth?” he said.
Rahullah reiterated that his loyalty lies with the people rather than political positions. “Let it be clear, people did not vote for me; they voted for their identity. Whoever remains loyal to the people will succeed, and those who betray their trust will be shown the door,” he said.
In a pointed message to both the government and NC members, Rahullah urged them to stop treating criticism as confrontation. “Instead of targeting me, the government should address the reservation issue that directly affects our youth. That is where their focus should be,” he said. [KNT]
