Ruhullah Mehdi to Omar Abdullah: Name the MLAs who cross-voted or face public doubt

SRINAGAR, October 25: A fresh storm has erupted within the National Conference (NC) as its Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, Ruhullah Mehdi, on Saturday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to publicly name the MLAs who allegedly cross-voted in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, saying that transparency is vital to uphold public trust in the democratic process.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Mehdi said it was essential that the Chief Minister reveal the identities of the legislators accused of “betraying the party” and “voting for the BJP.” “I am not privy to information about who has voted for whom or who cross-voted. The Chief Minister stated that he knows it. It is important that what a legislator does with his vote should come out in the public domain,” he said.

His remarks came hours after Omar Abdullah told the media that “almost everyone knows” the names of those who went against the party line, claiming they had “helped the BJP” win one of the four Rajya Sabha seats.

Demanding accountability, Mehdi said, “If the Chief Minister knows who they are, he must name them. This is not a private matter. The people have a right to know if their trust and mandate have been betrayed. Those who claim to represent the public cannot hide behind secrecy.”

The Srinagar MP warned that failure to disclose the names would only fuel suspicion and diminish the credibility of legislators. “Until the truth is made public, every MLA will remain under a cloud of doubt,” he asserted.

A longtime party loyalist but recently a vocal critic of the NC’s leadership, Mehdi did not mince words in expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s political performance. He accused the party of failing to act decisively despite holding a strong mandate. “If you did not intend to fight politically, why did you promise it to the people? If you feel weak even after such a clear majority, then take others along. But do not repeat the same mistakes others made before the election,” he said.

The influential Shia leader also warned that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would eventually look for alternatives if the NC continued to remain inactive. “The people are not dependent on the NC, Congress, or BJP. They will create new platforms to fight for their existence if traditional parties fail to deliver,” he said, adding that “those who believe everything revolves around them are living in an illusion.”

When asked if he would campaign for the NC in the Budgam bypolls, Mehdi responded sharply, saying he first wanted the party to clarify its political vision. “My party should tell me what message to take to the people. What should I ask votes for? What have we achieved in the last year to justify their trust? Let the party name one concrete political action, and I will gladly campaign for it,” he said.

Mehdi urged the NC leadership to demonstrate sincerity by addressing issues within their power. “The fight for the restoration of Article 370 may take time, but the government can still prove its intent. For instance, it can address the issue of reservation and show that it stands for people’s rights,” he suggested.

Taking a veiled dig at Omar Abdullah’s recent statement that he “does not come under anyone’s pressure,” Mehdi said, “In a democracy, it is the duty of a leader to remain under the pressure of the people’s will. Those who ignore that pressure cease to be democratic and become authoritarian.”

Drawing a symbolic contrast, the MP recalled how Abdullah had removed his cap while seeking votes in Ganderbal. “Before elections, we bow before the people. But after winning, we tell them we are not under anyone’s pressure. This is not how leadership works,” he remarked.

Concluding his remarks, Mehdi lamented that there has been “no consistency” in governance or political direction over the past year. “There is nothing substantial I can take to the people and seek their votes. I will therefore stay away from this election. People are wise enough to see what is right and wrong. I will not defend the indefensible,” he said.