Srinagar, Nov 3 (KNS): Former Inspector General of Police Shafqat Ali Watali on Tuesday launched a sharp critique of Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi's Budgam speech, accusing the former National Conference leader of turning a serious political disagreement into a personal confrontation while failing to present a credible alternative to the political course he has rejected.
In a detailed statement issued following Ruhullah's announcement to part ways with the National Conference and resign from Parliament, Watali described the speech as an "exercise in self-glorification rather than principled political dissent."
He said Ruhullah's criticism of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the NC leadership deserved scrutiny not merely for its language but also for its political substance, constitutional understanding and consistency.
Watali said strong political disagreement was legitimate, but personal ridicule and disparaging references to former colleagues could not be mistaken for political courage.
Questioning Ruhullah's political consistency, the former police officer said the leader had spent nearly 25 years in the National Conference, served as a legislator and minister, and secured election to Parliament on its ticket.
He said Ruhullah owed the public an explanation of when and why the organisation he represented for so long had become unacceptable to him.
On the restoration of Article 370, Watali argued that Ruhullah's criticism of the elected government overlooked the constitutional limitations under which a Union Territory administration operates.
"The elected government of a Union Territory cannot independently reverse a decision taken by Parliament and upheld by the Supreme Court," he said.
He maintained that while the National Conference could legitimately be questioned over the intensity of its political efforts, holding the Chief Minister solely responsible for the failure to restore Jammu and Kashmir's constitutional position was an oversimplification.
Watali also rejected the suggestion that seeking restoration of statehood necessarily meant compromising the demand for constitutional safeguards.
Referring to Ruhullah's criticism over employment, reservation, electricity, political prisoners and public welfare, Watali acknowledged that several of these concerns were genuine and deserved serious consideration.
However, he said an assessment of the government's performance must distinguish between unfulfilled commitments, administrative delays and matters falling outside the elected government's direct authority.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
He also questioned Ruhullah's allegations that the NC leadership had surrendered politically to the BJP and RSS, saying such accusations required evidence of actual policy compromises.
According to Watali, engagement between an elected government and the Centre on constitutional and administrative matters could not, by itself, be treated as evidence of political surrender.
The former IGP further criticised what he described as Ruhullah's attempt to portray himself as the sole custodian of political principles and public conscience.
He said resignation from public office did not automatically establish the correctness of the allegations accompanying it, adding that political credibility depended on consistency, evidence and constructive public service.
Raising questions about Ruhullah's future political course, Watali said the speech offered extensive criticism of the NC leadership but little clarity about the constitutional and political strategy he intended to pursue.
"What concrete constitutional, political and institutional strategy does Ruhullah propose?" he asked, questioning how the proposed movement would secure concessions from the Union government that Ruhullah had accused the elected administration of failing to obtain.
Watali also referred to the timing of the speech, delivered on the anniversary of Ruhullah's father's assassination, saying the occasion carried emotional significance but should have been used to advance a substantive political argument rather than deepen personal confrontation.
He warned that political fragmentation and prolonged uncertainty had already imposed considerable costs on Jammu and Kashmir, and said dissent could strengthen democracy only when accompanied by accountability, restraint and a constructive political programme.
Concluding his criticism, Watali said Ruhullah's address had generated "more political heat than constitutional clarity, more indignation than introspection, and more denunciation than direction."
He maintained that the ultimate test of political leadership was not the intensity of criticism directed at former colleagues but the ability to present a principled, practical and achievable alternative. (KNS)