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| NC, Cong, PDP tread different paths in Kashmir | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 18: The nascent I.N.D.I.A. alliance in Jammu and Kashmir is facing its first major hurdle, with Congress leaders pushing back against ceding all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir to allies National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The simmering disagreement threatens to derail the opposition's bid to present a united front against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The National Conference has already announced its intention to field candidates from all three Valley seats – Srinagar, Baramulla, and Anantnag-Rajouri. The PDP, under Mehbooba Mufti, remains indecisive, weighing options between contesting all seats or leaving Kashmir to NC and Jammu for Congress.
According to the media reports Congress leaders in J&K, however, are urging the party high command to reconsider the possibility of leaving all three Kashmir seats uncontested.
They argue that doing so would not only leave their cadre demoralized but also potentially allow the BJP to reap electoral benefits in constituencies where the NC's hold is not absolute.
The Congress Party workers in J&K, according to the sources, have expressed strong reservations about abandoning Kashmir altogether.
Sources said that the Congress leaders are of the opinion that they have a strong base in South Kashmir and believe that they can put up a good fight. Leaving the field open for the NC and PDP risks giving the BJP and other parties an easy walk in constituencies where NC and PDP might not be as strong.
An analyst while talking to Early Times said, “The Congress's insistence on contesting at least one seat in Kashmir reflects its desire to retain its own political identity and relevance in the region, especially after facing electoral setbacks in recent years. The party fears that conceding all ground to the NC and PDP could further diminish its presence in the Union Territory.”
The NC, however, remains firm on its stance, arguing that it has the strongest organization and electoral base in Kashmir and is best positioned to challenge the BJP's dominance. Party leaders point to their victories in all three Kashmir seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections as evidence of their strength. "We have the track record and the grassroots support to fight and win in these seats," said a NC leader. "We've always been at the forefront of advocating for the people of Kashmir, and that's what gives us the edge."
The PDP's indecisiveness adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The party is grappling with internal divisions and has yet to announce its election strategy. Whether it ultimately chooses to partner with the NC and Congress or go solo remains unclear.
“With time running out before the Lok Sabha elections, the I.N.D.I.A. alliance faces a crucial decision. Finding a solution that accommodates the demands of all three parties while presenting a united front will be key to their success in the upcoming polls. Failure to do so could further fragment the opposition and hand the strategic advantage to the other parties,” said an observer. |
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