Not happy with quality of polity in J&K: National Conference MP Ruhullah
'I am not happy or satisfied with the quality of polity in J&K. I am not referring to any particular organisation, but to the entire polity of J&K. Politics in J&K has degraded. Changing parties won't help. I appeal to society to stand for reform,' MP Ruhullah said.
MP Ruhullah made these remarks in Sopore, in north Kashmir's Baramulla constituency. He also engaged with youth in a question-and-answer session on the politics and issues of Kashmir. However, his decision to address a civil society group in Sopore was not well received by the NC leadership there. None of the local NC leaders or activists participated in the public event attended by the MP.
'It doesn't matter whether they (NC leaders) attended or not. I was invited. I can't refuse an invitation based on whether they voted for us or not,' Mr. Ruhullah said.
There is growing friction between MP Ruhullah and the NC's top leadership, which has been evident on several occasions since the party formed the government in J&K last year.
The MP sought people's support to 'reshape polity.' He said, 'I am looking for those people who will walk with me, bringing accountability to the system, those who will stand for credibility.'
The issue of rationalisation of the reservation quota saw MP Ruhullah joining protesters outside the Chief Minister's residence in Srinagar last year. He also recently admitted that the top party leadership has 'not been in touch with him.' However, MP Ruhullah continues to attend party meetings and is reportedly among the few voices critical of the government's functioning.
After the Sopore function, the MP also supported the demand that the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on the rationalisation of reservation quotas in jobs should be made public. The CSC submitted its report on reservation to the Cabinet this week.
'It should be made public. There should be discussion. Even if the report has been sent to the Law Department, it should be concluded within a week's time,' he said.
Mr. Ruhullah is a popular Shia cleric and garners significant support for his bold stance on issues like Article 370, greater autonomy, and security forces' crackdown on youth in Kashmir.
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