Srinagar: Srinagar Member of Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday made pointed remarks apparently directed at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during a public gathering in Budgam, asserting that the response of people to his political stand reflected the respect and support he enjoyed among them.

Addressing the gathering, Ruhullah said, “If you want to see what real respect looks like, come to Budgam,” in an apparent reference to the public response at the event.

Taking another swipe at the politics surrounding positions and political power, he remarked, “People who lose chairs get unhappy, but here we are throwing away a chair, and we are happy.”

The remarks came amid Ruhullah's ongoing differences with the National Conference leadership and his announced decision to resign from the party as well as relinquish his Lok Sabha membership.

Ruhullah's remarks appeared to underline his position that political office was secondary to public trust and political principles. His decision comes against the backdrop of his disagreement with the NC leadership over the party's commitments on Article 370, the release of prisoners and protection of the rights of Jammu and Kashmir's people.

The gathering was organised at Behishti Zehra Park in Budgam to mark the 26th death anniversary of his father, Aga Syed Mehdi. The event had also attracted considerable political attention amid speculation over the future of Ruhullah's association with the National Conference and his parliamentary membership.