Srinagar- The simmering tensions within the National Conference (NC) have burst into the open, with a public war of words between party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah intensifying ahead of the Budgam by-polls. Their sharp exchanges over the past few days have laid bare a widening rift within the party.
The discord escalated on Monday when Omar Abdullah, responding to questions from reporters, reacted sharply upon hearing Ruhullah's name.
“Don't talk about Aga Ruhullah. Whom are you talking about? There is no comparison between Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah - there's simply no match,” Omar said.

Omar also responded to reports that Ruhullah had refused to join the Budgam bypoll campaign, saying that the party has enough leaders to carry on its political outreach.“No one is being forced to campaign,” he said.“We have plenty of people willing to go out and work. Whoever wants to stay away can do so.”

Hours later, NC legislator Majeed Larmi added fuel to the fire. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Larmi, as per KNO, took direct aim at Ruhullah's criticism of the Chief Minister, suggesting that if the MP truly believed the government has failed, he should resign from his seat and face the people again.

“If he says the Chief Minister has done nothing, then let him resign and contest again,” Larmi said.“He won on the party's ticket. If he thinks the leadership failed, he should have the courage to go back to the voters.”

Larmi said every representative has a right to speak for their people but argued that public criticism of the leadership was damaging to the party's unity.

He pointed out that many decisions affecting daily life, including the installation of smart meters, were taken under the Lieutenant Governor's administration, not by the elected government.“The order for smart meters came from the LG government, not ours. When our government has full control, we will deal with it differently,” he added.

He also suggested that major policy decisions could only be made once statehood was restored.“When there is no money and no administrative power in the state's hands, how can anyone promise miracles?” he asked.

Hours later, Ruhullah hit back, describing the issue as much larger than a personal feud.
“There is no time for a personal fight here. Kashmir is currently facing an existential crisis,” he told reporters.
Ruhullah also criticized the party leadership for failing to deliver on key promises made during the 2024 elections - including the restoration of Article 370 and the creation of one lakh jobs in five years
“In one year, where has that fight gone? Where are the 100,000 jobs that were promised? Only 20,000 have been given. Can anyone tell me their addresses?” he asked.
He further raised concerns over the detention of Kashmiri youth, stating that“thousands are locked up in jails without trials.”

“If the National Conference wants to make this personal, I'm ready to fight,” Ruhullah said.
Following Omar Abdullah's remarks, protests broke out in several areas of Kashmir, including Sonawari, where people chanted slogans against the Chief Minister, expressing solidarity with Ruhullah:
“Ruhullah sahab aagey bado, hum tumhare saath hain! Kirdar ka Ghazi Ruhullah!”
Social media was soon flooded with posts condemning the Chief Minister's comments against Aga Ruhullah.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, Aga Mujtaba, brother of PDP candidate Aga Muntazir - who is contesting the Budgam by-election - called Omar Abdullah's remarks“inappropriate and disrespectful.”
“It is astonishing that such an inappropriate statement has come from someone like Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. This is not only an insult to Aga Syed Ruhullah but to the entire Musavi family,” Mujtaba said.
“If Aga Ruhullah was a 'nobody,' then why was his presence and counsel considered essential during the Assembly elections? The people of Budgam are not so cheap that they can be used when needed and then see their leaders disrespected afterward. Mr. Omar Abdullah should publicly apologize. We will never compromise on the honor of our elders, leaders, and martyrs,” he added.
On October 25, Ruhullah posted a tweet that further fueled speculation about his political future.
“Asking out of curiosity - this question is for the people of Jammu, Kashmir, and our own Ladakh. Who are the local heroes in your societies? People across gender, religious identities, social or economic backgrounds - individuals whose conduct, work, integrity, conviction, and wisdom inspire you,” Ruhullah wrote, inviting people to share names privately if they preferred.

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