Ruhullah Flags Ideological Drift In NC

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Lok Sabha MP Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday called for stronger accountability in tackling drug trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir, while sharply flagging what he described as an“ideological drift” within his own party, the National Conference (NC).

Speaking to reporters, the Srinagar MP said strict action must be taken against those enabling drug trafficking and stressed that the issue requires seriousness rather than symbolic measures.

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He also endorsed Health Minister Sakina Itoo's view that coercive action should not be extended to family members of accused persons, asserting that punishment must remain within the ambit of law.

However, Mehdi's strongest remarks were directed at internal party dynamics, where he openly called for course correction and adherence to ideology.

To a question on speculations about defections in the ruling NC, the MP, who has been disgruntled with the party for some time now, said he does not appreciate any defections in the party.

“If anything, I want resilience in NC. People within the NC should stand up to the hierarchy – I won't call them 'leadership' – and tell them that we are compromising on the ideology.

“We are going against the mandate of the people; they should stand up to the hierarchy and correct the course. That is what I want,” he said.

He also said he does not see any defections taking place in the NC.

“I see them distancing from ideology, but they are distancing in flocks; I don't see any defections on the basis of ideology,” he added.

On the remarks of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that cabinet expansion was not taking place because statehood was not restored, Mehdi asked whether the chief minister would expand the cabinet if statehood were not restored for five years.

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“Then why is he there himself? Cabinet expansion means that more people will get representation in the governance.

“If the representation in governance is subjected to statehood, then why is he there? Then he should step down and walk with me,” he said.

On the assembly election results, he said the Constitution, law, and law enforcement agencies were“openly compromised” for the interests of a particular political party.

“Candidates indulged in hate speeches, and rather than disqualifying them, their hate speeches were facilitated. About one crore votes were deleted through SIR.

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“In Assam, there was gerrymandering of constituencies, and the use of paramilitary forces in Bengal proves that the Constitution was disregarded, and unfortunately, police and paramilitary forces became facilitators for a political party,” he said.

The Lok Sabha MP said there were hopes that the judiciary would act,“but it has not been seen so far”.

“It seems that, like China, India too will convert into one nation, one party, where the BJP will get the control,” he said.

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