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| After fighting elections against each other NC, PDP share platform at INDIA bloc meeting | | | sandeep bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 8: In a noteworthy political development, two of Jammu and Kashmir’s principal regional rivals—the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)—came together under the banner of the INDIA bloc, reaffirming their commitment to the national opposition alliance even as they continue to contest elections against one another on home turf.
The meeting, convened in New Delhi as part of the ongoing efforts by the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to evolve a coordinated strategy ahead of the upcoming state elections and 2029 Lok Sabha polls, saw participation from several key opposition parties across the country. Among the attendees were NC president and Member of Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and PDP chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
What makes their joint appearance significant is the fact that both parties had fielded candidates against each other in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, particularly in the sensitive and politically crucial constituencies of the Kashmir Valley. Despite their fierce electoral rivalry, both leaders came together in the meeting, signalling that regional competition has not diluted their commitment to the broader cause of safeguarding democracy, federalism, and constitutional values under the INDIA bloc.
Sources privy to the meeting said that both Abdullah and Mufti made strong interventions during the discussions, particularly on issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir. They jointly highlighted the urgent need for restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, holding long-overdue Assembly elections, and revoking laws and measures enacted after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which they argued had eroded the region’s constitutional rights and democratic space.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, known for his veteran statesmanship, reportedly called upon all INDIA bloc members to stay united and resist attempts by the ruling BJP to centralize power and weaken democratic institutions. Mehbooba Mufti, on her part, reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir feel betrayed and disempowered, and that the INDIA bloc must ensure that their voices are heard on the national stage.
Despite their ideological and political differences, both NC and PDP appear to recognize the strategic importance of aligning with a broader anti-BJP platform at the national level. Analysts say this dual-track strategy—competing locally while cooperating nationally—highlights the complex nature of coalition politics in India, especially in a post-Article 370 Jammu and Kashmir.
“This is not the first time regional parties with competing interests have shared space on a larger national platform,” said a senior political analyst. “But in the case of Jammu and Kashmir, the stakes are higher, and the contradictions more apparent. Still, what binds them together is a shared anxiety over democratic backsliding and centralization of power under the BJP-led government.”
While the two parties are unlikely to forge a joint front in Jammu and Kashmir their continued engagement in the INDIA bloc shows that they are willing to keep communication channels open and work together on national issues, particularly those impacting the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
As the INDIA bloc continues to reshape itself following the 2024 general elections, the participation of both NC and PDP underlines a cautious but calculated political balancing act—one that seeks to navigate regional aspirations while aligning with a national opposition vision. Whether this pragmatic coexistence will endure or eventually evolve into a more coordinated front in Jammu and Kashmir remains to be seen. |
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