Srinagar: National Conference MP Agha Ruhullah Mehdi has publicly stated that communication with his party has virtually ceased following his participation in a student-led protest against a new reservation policy outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence last December.

In a recent Twitter space interaction reported by Kashmir Media Service, Ruhullah expressed frustration over being sidelined by his party. He noted that his opinions were considered seriously until the Assembly elections, at which point the dynamic shifted. “After the reservation protests, the communication between me and the party has become almost non-existent,” he said.

Ruhullah observed that his views no longer resonated within the party, a shift he linked to the aftermath of the elections. Despite this, he acknowledged the National Conference’s strategic need to maintain a favorable relationship with New Delhi for governance purposes and thus refrained from pushing his perspective.

The protests over the reservation policy, Ruhullah emphasized, marked a turning point. He refuted claims that he orchestrated the demonstrations, clarifying that the gathering was initiated by students supporting their elected leader. “I didn’t call the protests,” he insisted. “I went to take part in that …”

Ruhullah described his stance on issues as “natural and organic,” asserting that it was not driven by political motives.