Ruhullah Mehdi, the firebrand Member of Parliament from Srinagar, has emerged as a prominent figure in the regional National Conference. As the star campaigner in the ongoing Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, held after a decade, Mehdi has firmly stated that his party will not ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He remains optimistic that the National Conference will secure a majority and form the next government.
Q. Tell us, where do you see the National Conference in the current election?
A. I see that people are slowly beginning to understand how our circumstances changed under previous regimes. What decisions we made in 2014 (when the Peoples Democratic Party formed a coalition with the BJP), what the outcomes were, and what challenges we now face—the hardships we are going through? It seems that people are supporting the National Conference in its stance that we must fight against the BJP's plans and decisions.
Q. If there is a fractured mandate tomorrow, will the National Conference join hands with the PDP or other regional parties to form a government?
A. Right now, we are focusing on ensuring that the alliance between the National Conference and Congress performs well. In the Kashmir Valley, most people trust the National Conference. In areas where Congress is directly fighting the BJP, especially in Jammu, we hope Congress will win seats. Our goal is to win a majority through this alliance.
Q. Back in 2014, the PDP said that Jammu could not be ignored because the BJP had a mandate there. If a similar situation arises, would you consider joining hands with the BJP if they win more seats in Jammu?
A. One thing I can say with confidence: There will be no alliance with the BJP. Our goal is to win a majority without them. We’ll see what the situation is after the elections, but our hope is that the alliance (NC-Congress) will win a majority and defeat the BJP.
Q. After the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, you took a strong stand, and your popularity seems to be on the rise. Is there any difference within the party leadership, as it sometimes seems that you have a separate view from the NC?
A. First, I thank Allah and the people for their love. No matter what, I will never betray their trust. As for your question about the party, I don’t think there’s a difference. What I say, the National Conference has never distanced itself from. Maybe the language or style of delivery differs, but the goal is the same. What I’m saying, the whole organisation stands behind.
Q. What is the status of the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD)—an alliance between several political parties, including the PDP, for the restoration of regional autonomy?
A. PAGD was a necessity, and the goal for which it was created remains relevant today. Whether this alliance continues or not, the National Conference will keep fighting for that goal. The environment you saw after the District Development Council (DDC) elections (which were held in J&K in the latter part of 2020), and the statements and speeches from the PDP, worsened the situation and didn’t help maintain the alliance. I personally tried to save PAGD until the last parliamentary election. After the speeches made during the PDP’s anniversary event, especially the personal attacks against Sheikh (Mohammad Abdullah) Sahib (the NC founder), the atmosphere deteriorated. Whether PAGD stays intact or not, the National Conference will continue its fight against the BJP and for the restoration of our rights.
Q. Mehbooba Mufti says that Dr Farooq Abdullah and the National Conference sidelined them and did not consult them ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
A. The seat-sharing discussion came later, after the parliamentary elections. Investigate what happened before that. The divisions began after the DDC elections, which created the environment that led to the differences within PAGD.