I.N.D.I.A bloc disunity closely watched in J&K political circles

Whatever be the assembly poll result in Delhi, the election has again exposed the disunity among the allies in the opposition parties' Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A). Like in some other states last year, in Delhi also the alliance partners fought the polls against each other. This may  give an  advantage to the BJP.

While the unity or disunity in the I.N.D.I.A bloc has no major impact on  the politics of Jammu and Kashmir, but such a scenario is being keenly watched in the political circles here. That is why the political leaders too keep on offering their comments on the issue.

Referring to the infighting, senior National Conference ( NC) leader and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the leaders of I.N.D.I.A bloc have to sit and resolve this issue. He added that this disintegration of the alliance is not good for the country. According to him the I.N.D.I.A bloc was formed to stop the BJP in 2024 parliamentary polls.  "We failed to stop the BJP but the number of  seats to our alliance increased," he said . This is not for the first time that Omar criticised I.N.D.I.A bloc for disunity. He has done so several times in the past and at times assailed Congress also. The Chief Minister was accused by some opposition parties in Kashmir of trying to appease BJP under the garb of criticising I.N.D.I.A bloc or Congress.

For some time after  its formation in July, 2023, the I.N.D.I.A bloc also saw participation  of leaders from J&K particularly that  of the National Conference and PDP in its meetings and rallies in different parts of the country. The way the bloc blocked the BJP's  march towards the 370 seats in 2024 parliament polls, political observers felt that it would get further strengthened with time. BJP was intending to get 370 seats and 400 seats together with its NDA partners. But this did not happen.   BJP on its own could not get a simple majority and had to rely on Nitish Kumar's RJD and Chandra Babu Naidu's TDP to form the government. This despite the fact that BJP had kept its major poll promises including the abrogation of Article 370.

While the  results were encouraging to some extent at national level for the bloc, in Jammu and Kashmir it could not keep its flock together- neither in parliament nor in assembly polls. NC and Congress formed pre- poll alliance but PDP fought against them in both the elections. NC performed remarkably in assembly polls and got majority with the support of independents and formed the government. Congress, whose performance was almost miserable both in the parliament and assembly polls, is supporting NC government from outside. There is a feeling in NC circles that their party could have won even those seats, which were left for Congress in Kashmir.

With J&K continuing as a union territory and dual power system existing, the NC government is trying hard to avoid any kind of confrontation with the central government. However, despite doing so, the new challenges are emerging for the ruling party due to various issues with the passage of time. The opposition parties are blaming the  NC government for going soft towards BJP. The elected government is insisting on restoration of statehood, stating that such a measure is the cure of all ills. NC circles believe that despite the non-confrontational approach of their government, the BJP leadership is trying to make things difficult for it. The delay in statehood restoration is being described as one such move. According to them their government is not able to function properly in absence of the statehood.

Political observers say that prior to assembly polls,  BJP had taken all possible steps to form its own government in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of like minded parties. But NC's spectacular win took everybody by surprise. The party formed the government amid high expectations from the people. Not delivering on its promises can prove a big  disadvantage to NC politically later.  But performing well can further strengthen its position.

Recently Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari told media that the National Conference government must not raise too much hue and cry over dual power system. He said everybody knew that what the system would be like in the union territory. Bukhari suggested to NC government to collaborate with Lieutenant Governor ( LG) for the welfare of people. He described LG as a captain and Chief Minister as vice captain in the union territory.

NC ignored his statement and did not react. However, the ruling party keeps on reacting to the PDP's statements on various issues. Interestingly, the PDP does not comment much now regarding the disunity in I.N.D.I.A bloc. May be its leadership feels that the Congress did not convince NC to accommodate PDP also in the pre-poll alliance. During elections, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti used to insist that her party continues to be part of I.N.D.I.A bloc. Later, the party preferred silence over the issue. While it is not making any comment right now, PDP like other political parties is closely monitoring the developments at national level more particularly in the backdrop of I.N.D.I. Alliance disunity.

Author is senior editor, Greater Kashmir