Srinagar, Aug. 31 -- There is something almost insulting about the political conversation in Kashmir today. People want Kashmir discussed. Its politicians are discussing themselves.

Who said what about whom? Who challenged whom? Who should resign? Who betrayed whom? Who is becoming bigger than his party? Who owes his election to whom? Who will remain in the National Conference and who might walk out?

And, naturally, an obliging media has pulled up a chair, ordered popcorn and turned the whole thing into Kashmir's latest political soap opera.

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah challenged Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi to resign and seek a fresh mandate if he believed his electoral strength was independent of the party. R...