Tufail Mattoo’s father to hand over Aga Ruhullah’s resignation letter to Farooq Abdullah

Budgam: Following his announcement to quit the National Conference, Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has asked Muhammad Ashraf Mattoo, father of Tufail Mattoo, who was killed during the 2010 Kashmir unrest, to personally hand over his resignation letter to party president Dr Farooq Abdullah.

Ruhullah made the request during his public address at Behishti Zehra Park in Budgam on Tuesday, where he announced that he was freeing himself from the National Conference after nearly 24 years of association with the party.

The choice of Ashraf Mattoo to deliver the resignation letter adds a symbolic dimension to Ruhullah’s departure, particularly given the circumstances surrounding the death of his son, Tufail Mattoo, in June 2010.

Tufail, a 17-year-old student, was killed after being hit by a tear-gas shell during protests in Srinagar when Omar Abdullah was the Chief Minister. His death triggered widespread demonstrations across Kashmir.

Ruhullah’s announcement at the gathering was accompanied by sharp criticism of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, particularly over the party’s position on Article 370 and its failure, as he alleges, to fulfil electoral commitments made during the 2024 Assembly elections.

He accused the Chief Minister of changing the goalposts after coming to power, saying people had voted against the BJP, expecting the elected government to stand up for their rights.

Ruhullah also made pointed remarks about political power and public respect, saying that while some people become unhappy after losing their positions, he was happy to voluntarily give up his political position.

“People who lose chairs get unhappy, but here we are throwing away a chair, and we are happy,” he said.

He further addressed Omar Abdullah, saying, “If you want to see what real respect looks like, come to Budgam.”

The resignation letter’s proposed delivery through Ashraf Mattoo has now become a notable part of the political developments following Ruhullah’s departure from the NC.

His separate resignation from the Lok Sabha is a parliamentary matter and is to be submitted to Speaker Om Birla