Former minister and prominent Shia leader from National Conference Ruhullah Mehdi has suggested that all the political parties should start a signature campaign regarding abrogation of Article 370 across the two Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and take those signatures to the Supreme as a fresh plea.

The three time legislator from Budgam district of central Kashmir stated that a copy of the plea should also be sent to the parliament and chief ministers of all the states across the country. The NC leader said that the ‘signature campaign’ was a possibility as the political parties including his own NC, have cadres on the ground to ensure this exercise is conducted. “Campaign in all three regions of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. Go to people. Speak to them, take the signatures. Take those signatures in the shape of a fresh plea to SC. Send a copy to the Parliament. Take it to all the CMs of all States,” he wrote.

Mehdi said that it should be made known that ‘the Aug 5, 2019, decision was unilateral, illegitimate and undemocratic.’ “It did not have the will of the people. It was approved by an individual, an employee (Governor) of GoI whose only job was to fulfil the wish of the GoI, which he has admitted in an interview,” said Mehdi in an exchange of words with the Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Mattu on social media.

The NC leader said that he urged his own party to realise its responsibility and advised it (NC) to forget about the electoral process and start a movement. “I have made it a point for myself that I will not give the legitimacy to post Aug 5 status of J&K & the (supposed) “Assembly” by being part of it,” he said.

The National Conference led by Farooq Abdullah has expressed its willingness to participate in the elections as and when it happens and categorically refused to boycott any elections that will take place in J&K here onwards. However, Abdullah is also leading People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, an amalgam of regional parties formed in October 2020 to strive for restoration of Article 370 , 35 (A) and statehood of J&K.

“…I see it as a struggle for collective survival. So, it has to be a collective effort. Let the already established political parties take the lead and start the movement and campaign,” he said.

The NC leader said that the only prerequisite to start this campaign that he would push for is no association of any kind with the BJP. “You want to fight an aggression they (BJP) were the aggressors of. So, any individual or a party in the process has to shed off the other side,” he said. “Get your act together, set your priorities right,get up and start the movement for the return of our rights and dignity. I ask the People’s Democratic Party for the same…Any other political party which wants to genuinely fight for it, should come back to the course. It’s never too late for the correction,” he said

The NC leader said that he had disagreement and disappointment with his party as he felt that it didn’t do what it could, in response to ‘aggression’ on Aug 5, 2019 aggression. “It had the carder, resources and an opportunity for course correction…I will take this opportunity to convey to them again,” he said.