Srinagar, Apr 12 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmiri National Conference party leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi addresses the media after getting the party ticket from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, in Srinagar on Friday. (ANI Photo)
Srinagar, Oct 31: Member of Parliament (MP) from Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said the struggle for the return of Article 370 is not a ladder to chair for him but his belief and conviction.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mehdi responded to critical questions raised by PDP leader and MLA Pulwama, Waheed Para, regarding his efforts in Parliament to address issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir.
In the post, Mehdi said, “… So, more than theatrics, it is sentiment, emotion, expression and pragmatic approach that I involve in my struggle for it.”
“Do you want me to commit a mistake by getting the Resolution for 370 rejected by the Parliament where the same BJP which abrogated it is in majority? And then history says that the parliament resolved against Article 370?” Aga wrote.
The MP said he introduced the liquor bill keeping in mind that the BJP has declared Gujarat a dry state, therefore there is a slight chance of opening the debate and getting support for the same in J&K. He said he has also started a conversation with the fellow parliamentarians from other parties.
“In terms of a Bill for the restoration of art 370, I don’t see BJP letting that bill be passed. And once again do you want a bill for article 370 voted out in Parliament? As for the “opening of dialogue” is concerned, I started that inside the parliament even without introducing a bill,” Mehdi said.
The senior National Conference (NC) leader said that he also submitted a starred question in the parliament asking for the revocation of not only UAPA but also AFSPA. That was not listed in the business.
“So, keep some patience. I have only had one working session of parliament till now. There is a lot to come. By the way, it is in a way too harsh to expect me to clear the mess created by the decision of 2014/15 in one session of Parliament,” he said in a reply to the PDP leader.
Earlier this year, Aga Ruhullah defeated Waheed Para by over 1.88 lakh votes in the parliamentary elections. Mehdi garnered 3.56 lakh votes (52.8%) while Para managed 1.68 lakh votes (24.9%). Both leaders were a favourite among youth, particularly over their campaigning for Article 370 and resources of J&K
