Srinagar, Aug 25 (KNS): National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday responded to party president Farooq Abdullah's call for him to resign from the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate, saying he has deep respect for the veteran leader and would not turn him away if he asked him for something.
Ruhullah's remarks came a day after Abdullah publicly asked the Srinagar MP to resign and return to the electorate if he believed his Lok Sabha victory was based on his personal political standing.
"I respect Dr Sahab; it's not possible he asks me something and I leave him empty-handed," Ruhullah said, referring to Farooq Abdullah.
The exchange comes amid growing differences between the two leaders over the functioning and political direction of the National Conference.
Abdullah had said Ruhullah was free to raise issues such as the restoration of Article 370 in Parliament but questioned his approach and asked him to test his claim of having secured the Lok Sabha mandate through his own support.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
"If you think people voted for you, resign and go back to them. We will see how many votes you get," Abdullah had said.
The NC president also emphasised the importance of party discipline, saying members were expected to stand by organisational decisions, particularly during elections.
Ruhullah, however, has in recent weeks openly criticised the party's performance and raised questions over the implementation of its electoral promises.
Abdullah had also advised the Srinagar MP to seek guidance from the Quran, while saying that he believed Ruhullah was currently following the "wrong path".(KNS).