BJP Distances Itself From National Conference Turmoil

SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday firmly distanced itself from the political developments unfolding within the ruling National Conference (NC), with senior party leader and National Vice-President Ram Madhav asserting that the BJP had no role in the resignation of Srinagar Lok Sabha MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi or the reported differences within the NC.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Jammu, Madhav said the developments surrounding Ruhullah’s decision to quit the NC were entirely internal to the ruling party and should not be linked to the BJP in any manner. He maintained that while visible differences had emerged within the NC, the BJP was merely observing the situation and had no involvement in the ongoing political confrontation.

“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 said while responding to questions on the latest political developments in Jammu and Kashmir.

His remarks came on a day of significant political developments in the Union Territory, as Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi publicly announced his decision to leave the NC and resign from the Lok Sabha. Ruhullah made the announcement during a public gathering in home town Budgam, organised to mark the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, who was assassinated in 2000.

Madhav, who was on a day-long visit to Jammu, also chaired a closed-door meeting with senior BJP leaders at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar amid heightened political activity in the region. Although details of the meeting were not made public, his visit coincided with growing speculation over political realignments following Ruhullah’s dramatic exit from the ruling party.

The BJP leader acknowledged that the NC appeared to be facing internal strains, particularly in the aftermath of the recent expansion of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Council of Ministers. However, he categorically rejected suggestions that the BJP was attempting to influence or benefit from the developments.

“Let me reiterate that we have no involvement in the internal affairs of the National Conference. Whatever statements our MLAs make are a separate matter. This is entirely an internal matter of the NC, and its leaders are fighting among themselves,” Madhav said.

His comments assume significance as several BJP legislators and leaders have, in recent days, publicly speculated about possible divisions within the NC and questioned the stability of the Omar Abdullah-led government amid reports of growing dissatisfaction within sections of the ruling party. However, Leader of Opposition in J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, had last week while responding to speculation that the BJP had approached NC legislators amid reports of internal differences, firmly rejected the suggestion. He said the BJP had no reason to intervene in the affairs of the ruling party and pointed out that his party had already made its stand on government formation clear. Sharma also questioned why the BJP would approach legislators when it was not attempting to form the government. He maintained that the developments unfolding within the NC were entirely internal matters and asserted that the BJP had no role in the alleged differences being reported within the party.

Responding specifically to Ruhullah’s public rally and resignation announcement, Madhav again underscored that the matter was solely connected to the NC’s internal politics. “Today, one of their own MPs has come out and is holding a programme. That is their internal affair. What do we have to do with it?” he remarked.

Asked whether the latest developments could reshape J&K’s political landscape in the coming months, Madhav declined to make any forecast, saying the full implications of the situation would become clear only with time. “All bridges are crossed when you reach them,” he said.

Meanwhile, J&K Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary took a veiled dig at Madhav’s visit, suggesting that political fortunes, like seasons, are temporary. Reacting to questions about Madhav’s presence in Jammu amid the unfolding developments, Choudhary said there was a time and place for everything and dismissed speculation surrounding political manoeuvring.

“I don’t think this is the appropriate time for such discussions,” he said before launching a sarcastic attack on the BJP through a reference to its election symbol, the lotus. “Every flower has its season. Winter is approaching. The lotus will bloom, wither and go,” Choudhary told reporters.

Madhav remains one of the BJP’s most influential strategists on J&K affairs. He played a pivotal role in shaping the 2015 BJP-PDP coalition government and was closely associated with the formulation of its Common Minimum Programme. His visit, therefore, attracted considerable political attention at a time when the resignation of Ruhullah and his criticism of the NC leadership have intensified debate over the state of the ruling party.

Ruhullah's resignation and public criticism have reignited discussion over internal dissent within the NC and posed fresh political challenges for the Omar Abdullah-led government.