ENDING a bitter stalemate with the National Conference (NC) leadership, Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Syed Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday resigned from the seat as well as the party shortly after a rally here that the BJP said was held with the ‘blessings of our people’. Addressing a gathering at Behist-eZehra Park in Budgam on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, the Shia leader launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and NC president Farooq Abdullah, calling his exit a ‘decree of freedom’ from a ‘deceitful, corrupt organisation’.

 

However, political observers noted that despite an intense media build-up over his planned exit, the turnout at the Budgam park remained relatively modest compared to his earlier mass political demonstrations, comprising mostly loyalists, family supporters, and curious onlookers. Reacting to the development, BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav claimed the ruling party was ‘visibly divided’ and suggested that Ruhullah held the rally with the tacit support of opponents. “I would not like to comment on the matter, but the National Conference is visibly divided today. Ruhullah is holding the rally today with the blessings of our people,” Madhav told reporters in Jammu.