Srinagar, Jan 8: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, dismissed the recent protest led by MP Srinagar and senior National Conference leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi outside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s residence, calling it a “cheap publicity stunt.”
Itoo, who is also a member of the cabinet sub-committee reviewing Jammu and Kashmir’s Reservation Policy, criticized Ruhullah’s tactics while responding to the protest in an interview on a local channel, according to the Srinagar-based news gathering agency Kashmir Dot Com, saying, “It’s the wrong way. It is not the right way to go and stand outside the CM’s house for a protest.”
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“Does Omar Abdullah sahib have a magic stick that he will wave around and your job will be done? For cheap publicity, you get yourself clicked by the media and then claim that you are trying to pressurize the government,” she said, adding, “What pressure will you put on the government? The government is not under anyone’s pressure; we will do the work that is in our hands without any pressure.”
This comment came amidst growing tensions within the National Conference, as the party faces increasing divisions over political strategies and leadership.
Sakeena Itoo’s remarks point out the widening gap between Ruhullah and other NC leaders, signaling deeper fractures within the party as it grapples with ideological differences and public posturing.
Recent developments within the National Conference (NC) have worsened party divisions. Aga Ruhullah, who has led protests demanding political change, continues to clash with the party leadership.
Ruhullah’s actions have sparked a war of words within the National Conference, particularly with CM Omar Abdullah, who recently urged Ruhullah to focus on statehood protests in Delhi instead of local issues. Ruhullah responded firmly, stating that he remains committed to the restoration of Article 370 over statehood, which he views as a hollow promise.
Meanwhile, internal rifts surfaced when Ruhullah led a protest in December last year over Jammu and Kashmir’s reservation policy, supported by opposition leaders and hundreds of students from the Open Merit category. This protest and Ruhullah’s growing defiance toward the party leadership have led to sharp criticisms from his own party leaders.–(KDC)
