Srinagar: 10 July: Nearly two years after assuming office in Jammu and Kashmir, the ruling National Conference (NC) is facing criticism from opposition parties over what they describe as a shift in its political agenda.
From the promise of fighting for restoring the erstwhile state’s special constitutional status and 35-A to demanding the restoration of statehood, the regional old party has narrowed its struggle for an administrative authority.
The NC had campaigned in the 2024 Assembly elections on a promise to seek the restoration of the constitutional position that existed before August 5, 2019, when the Centre revoked Article 370 and downgraded the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.
However, the party has recently intensified its demand for the restoration of statehood and announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, arguing that the Centre should fulfil its commitment made in Parliament.
In his 3 page letter to 52 political party’s leaders, NC president Farooq Abdullah wrote, “We are not asking for anything beyond what was promised. Our demands shall not transgress from those which have already been promised to us.”
Opposition parties questioned whether the NC is moving away from the core promises that helped it secure a decisive mandate, particularly in the Kashmir Valley and parts of the Pir Panjal region.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the NC must explain why its emphasis has shifted from restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s special status to seeking statehood.
“National Conference sought votes promising the restoration of Article 370 and the constitutional rights taken away on August 5, 2019. Today, the conversation has narrowed to statehood, which the Government of India has already assured in Parliament. The people deserve clarity on whether the party has abandoned its original commitments,” Zuhaib Yousuf Mir, a PDP leader said.
The BJP, meanwhile, said the NC’s latest campaign reflects a political retreat from its earlier position.
“National Conference has moved from demanding plebiscite, to greater autonomy, then special status, and now statehood. This demonstrates how its politics has steadily narrowed over the decades, merely for power and its leadership’s lavishness. Statehood has already been promised by the Centre at an appropriate time. Instead of wasting its time on these dramas and political theatrics, the NC should focus on governance rather than political theatrics,” a BJP leader said.
Political observers note that the NC has historically championed issues ranging from Rai Shumari (plebiscite) to greater autonomy, before making the restoration of Article 370 a central plank after 2019.
“The present focus on statehood represents decline of the party’s political strategy and taking voters for granted,” analysts said.
However, the NC leaders maintain that securing statehood is a necessary step towards restoring democratic and administrative powers to Jammu and Kashmir.
