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| Cracks widen in alliance as Farooq slams Cong over statehood restoration | | |  Early Times Report
Jammu, May 1: Fresh signs of strain have emerged within the opposition bloc in Jammu and Kashmir after former Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah publicly criticised the Congress for what he termed as its “half-hearted” support on the issue of restoration of statehood.
Abdullah’s remarks have sparked speculation that the INDIA alliance—already seen as largely symbolic in the Union Territory—could be headed towards an eventual breakdown at the regional level.
While the alliance exists more on paper in Jammu and Kashmir, sources within the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference indicate growing dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership for not forcefully pursuing the demand for restoration of statehood at the national level. The issue remains central to the National Conference’s political agenda.
Abdullah’s criticism comes despite the Congress’s local outreach efforts, including its “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” campaign in the Union Territory. However, National Conference leaders believe that the campaign has not been matched by a corresponding push from the party’s central leadership, particularly in Parliament, where they expected the matter to be raised more assertively.
In a recent interview with a news agency, Abdullah openly voiced his disappointment, stating that his party has not received the “expected vigour” of support from its allies, especially the Congress, on the statehood issue. He emphasised that while the National Conference remains committed to the alliance, it has not lived up to its full potential.
The veteran leader also underscored the absence of a cohesive and unified strategy within the bloc to address Jammu and Kashmir’s political concerns, describing it as a key point of friction among the partners.
Political observers note that the alliance’s limited relevance in Jammu and Kashmir is further accentuated by the National Conference’s dominant position in the Assembly. With the backing of Independent MLAs, the party enjoys a working majority, reducing its dependence on the Congress for legislative support.
This evolving dynamic has led to a perception that the Congress, despite being a formal ally, is being accorded limited political space in the Union Territory. If the differences persist, analysts believe the already fragile alliance could see an official rupture in the near future, particularly as parties recalibrate their strategies ahead of upcoming political developments in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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