NC, PDP & Congress join I.N.D.I Alliance, but politically they are poles apart in J&K

JAMMU, SEP 13: While National Conference (NC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Congress have come together to be part of the multi-party alliance ‘I.N.D.I.A’ to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Assembly and Parliamentary elections across the country, the alliance is facing substantial political and ideological differences within Jammu & Kashmir, raising questions about their ability to counter the saffron party in the elections.
The newly-formed alliance, known as the “INDIA’ to create a formidable opposition front capable of countering the BJP’s dominance on the national stage has received support from the majority of the regional parties. The collaboration between opposition parties is expected to reshape the political landscape in India.

“Seat sharing, election strategy, and candidate selection in Jammu and Kashmir will be a litmus test for the alliance’s ability to find common ground. The parties will need to navigate these differences delicately to present a united front to the electorate”, said a senior PDP worker from South Kashmir.
National Conference (NC), led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the NC has traditionally remained a rival of PDP and Congress. NC’s agenda focuses on safeguarding Article 370 and Article 35A, which granted special status to the region until they were revoked in 2019.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti, had positioned itself as a proponent of self-rule and has often demanded a more reconciliatory approach towards separatist groups in the region. PDP has once formed a government with the support of Congress in 2002 when the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became Chief Minister for three years. However, the alliance ended abruptly following the Shri Amarnath Land row in 2008.
The Congress party, which has lost much of the space in J&K, has been a key player in national politics. Their participation in this alliance is significant, as they hope to leverage their pan-Indian appeal to bolster the alliance’s prospects. But in J&K the leaders have no high hopes of confronting BJP with the support of NC and PDP as they are seen as rivals both in Kashmir Valley and Jammu region for the JKPCC.
“The road to unity is far from smooth, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. NC, PDP and Congress are rivals politically in UT. The Gupkar alliance is an example. When Article 370 was scrapped, the opposition parties failed to stay together against BJP’s decision. Questions remain: Will they stay together against BJP when the time comes?” said a senior NC leader and former MLA.
Political analysts suggest that while the alliance may face hurdles in Jammu and Kashmir, its formation is a reflection of the growing concern among opposition parties regarding the BJP’s increasing influence. The BJP has made significant inroads into the region and secured a strong foothold in recent years.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on how these parties navigate their differences and collaborate to challenge the BJP’s dominance in the upcoming Assembly and Parliamentary elections. The fate of the alliance and the political direction of Jammu and Kashmir hang in the balance.