‘Arrogance is the recipe for disaster’, says Ruhullah Mehdi after NC’s defeat in Budgam by-poll

Srinagar, Nov 14: Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday shared a Quranic verse to offer an indirect response to the Budgam by-poll outcome, calling arrogance “a recipe for disaster” and urging humility and introspection.

In a social media post, Mehdi quoted verse 146 from Surah Al-A‘raf, which warns against arrogance and ignoring signs. The verse reads: “I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right… And if they see the way of consciousness, they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way.”

He wrote that the lesson from the verse is that “arrogance is the recipe for disaster,” adding that “consciousness, humility and introspection is the way.”

Though he did not directly mention the Budgam by-poll, his post appeared to be a subtle response to the result, in which PDP’s Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi defeated NC’s Aga Syed Mehmood Al-Mosavi by 4,478 votes.

Political observers said Mehdi’s comment came amid reactions within the National Conference over the setback in Budgam, a seat vacated last year after Omar Abdullah resigned from it following his win in Ganderbal.

The seat witnessed a tense and dramatic campaign, marked by internal conflicts within the National Conference (NC).

Senior leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi publicly refused to campaign for the party’s candidate, Aga Syed Mehmood Al Mosavi, citing unfulfilled election promises by the NC-led government, including delays in implementing the Reservation Sub-Committee report, issues with smart electricity meters, and perceived backtracking on restoring statehood and Article 370. (KNS)