The I.N.D.I.A. alliance, comprising the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and others, is facing a significant setback as public sparring between its leaders, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, threatens to fracture the alliance. The turmoil escalated after National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah declared a clear disassociation with the PDP for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
In a swift response, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, during a press conference in Srinagar, expressed her dismay and hurt over the NC’s stance. She accused the party of causing damage to the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), claiming that the NC’s actions had accomplished what the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) couldn’t.
“What BJP couldn’t do, has been done by a PAGD member himself. People of J&K had expectations from PAGD and then I.N.D.I.A. alliance. It’s a big setback for the people,” lamented Mehbooba Mufti.
Unfazed by the setback, she announced her intention to engage with the Congress, a pivotal member of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, seeking an alternative alliance.
“I am a fighter. We will talk to Congress in this regard and will make our decision public soon,” declared Mufti, setting the stage for potential political realignments in Jammu and Kashmir.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mehbooba Mufti accused the National Conference of reducing the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to a “joke” by unilaterally deciding to contest all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir. PAGD, an alliance of five political parties, aims to reinstate the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, revoked by the Centre in 2019.
“Omar (Abdullah) has himself said that the PDP is out of the alliance. You can see who has broken the alliance. We did not. This was a unique alliance; it is disappointing to see it shattered. They have reduced PAGD to a joke,” Mufti asserted.
Earlier today, National Conference Vice-President Omar Abdullah while hitting out at PDP said “not NC but situation has kept Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out”. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, he said that NC will announce names of candidates for upcoming Parliamentary elections when it will suit the party.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister accused the PDP of consistently targeting the National Conference in their party programs, speeches, and social media posts. Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the persistent attacks, particularly during the PDP’s raising day functions over the last two years.
“Be it their speeches or social media posts, they are continuously making NC a target. What does it mean … Zulm Ki Albaen Hatav, Qalam Dawat Ko Vote Do (Remove the plough of repression, vote for pen & inkpot). Even they drag us into Pakistan elections, citing 1987 rigging, and thus blaming us for the entire mess. They even make Dr. Farooq Abdullah a target,” Omar Abdullah lamented.
The NC leader questioned the PDP’s motives, particularly their approach to leaving south Kashmir for the PDP, which secured a third-place position in the last Lok Sabha polls. He criticized the PDP’s inconsistency in their discourse, accusing them of talking about an alliance while singularly targeting the National Conference in their rallies and tweets.
