Jammu, Nov 3: BJP national vice-president Ram Madhav on Tuesday said Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi was holding his rally with the blessings of “our people”, while asserting that the BJP had no role in the internal developments of the National Conference (NC).
Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Jammu, Madhav said the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir appeared to be facing internal divisions.
Ruhullah on Tuesday announced his decision to quit the National Conference and resign from his Lok Sabha membership while addressing a gathering in Budgam on the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi, who was assassinated in 2000.
“I would not like to comment on the matter, but the National Conference is visibly divided today. Ruhullah is holding the rally today with the blessings of our people,” Madhav said.
Madhav, who played a key role in the formation of the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015-16, is on a day-long visit to Jammu. During his visit, he also held a closed-door meeting with senior BJP leaders at the party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar.
His visit comes amid reports of growing discontent among NC legislators following the recent Cabinet expansion by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
However, Madhav distanced the BJP from the developments within the ruling party, maintaining that statements made by individual BJP legislators should not be considered the party’s official position.
“Let me reiterate that we have no involvement in the internal affairs of the National Conference. Whatever statements our MLAs make are a separate matter. This is entirely an internal matter of the NC, and its leaders are fighting among themselves,” he said.
Several BJP legislators and senior leaders have claimed that the National Conference is heading towards a split and that the Omar Abdullah-led government could face instability amid growing dissent within the party.
“Today, one of their own MPs has come out and is holding a programme… That is their internal affair. What do we have to do with it?” Madhav said.
Asked about possible political developments and their implications, he declined to speculate, saying the situation would have to unfold before any conclusions could be drawn.
“Yes, all bridges are crossed when you reach them,” he remarked.
