Weak PDP, a political advantage to NC

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) observed the ninth death anniversary of its founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7. By founding the PDP in 1999 and making it strong, he had provided a political alternative to the people to replace the most popular , mighty, oldest and grassroots level party, National Conference (NC). The results were obvious as PDP formed coalition government with Congress in 2002 and then with BJP after 2014 assembly polls. Even NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah lost parliamentary poll and Omar Abdullah the assembly elections during the time.

PDP tried to cash on its ideology that having a political alternative is essential as otherwise a single party takes people for granted and sometimes “develops dictatorial and black mailing tendencies.” NC countered by saying that the strengthening of PDP had the blessings of the then central government, which was not happy with the J&K’s ruling party for passing an autonomy resolution in the legislative assembly on June 26, 2000.

Mufti’s decision to form a coalition government with the BJP after the 2014 assembly polls proved an unpopular and disastrous move for the PDP. After his demise in 2016, the coalition government headed by his daughter Mehbooba Mufti could not last long. BJP pulled out from the government on June 19, 2018 and she had to resign.

After the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, NC successfully built a narrative that PDP brought BJP to Jammu and Kashmir, which paved way for these developments on August 5, 2019. This narrative helped NC in a big way in 2024 assembly elections. Not only its own cadres but those people, who in past used to vote for PDP, did vote for NC and ensured its impressive victory and formation of its government.

Now NC is at a very comfortable position as far as its political rivalry with PDP is concerned. PDP does not exist as a political alternative at present. In last year’s assembly polls people preferred NC over PDP. Departure of a number of senior leaders and the narrative that it brought BJP into J&K had already weakened the PDP. PDP now does not also have a leader of the stature of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who can bring people from political and non-political backgrounds into the party fold and groom and mentor them to create challenges for NC.

While Omar Abdullah government has no immediate threat from PDP but it is struggling to come out of some other problems. Jammu and Kashmir continues to be a union territory having dual power centres - Raj Bhawan and Chief Minister’s office. Omar Abdullah government’s recent recommendation to Lieutenant Governor (LG) administration to re-include the December 5 (birth anniversary of NC founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah) and July 13 ( Martyrs’ Day) in the list of holidays was rejected. This came as a big set back to the ruling party.

Later, at a press conference, the Chief Minister tried to remove the impression that his government is completely ineffective and unable to perform in the dual power system. He stated that his government is very much in command of the things under its control and the problems arising out at government level are being sorted out. Omar Abdullah added that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured him that they respect the mandate of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and will support his government. They also assured that the elected government will not be destablised, he added. Omar Abdullah government is demanding immediate restoration of statehood but is avoiding any unnecessary confrontation with the centre on the issue.

The early the statehood is restored the better for the elected government so that some beginning is made for keeping some of the promises made with the people during elections. Chief Minister has been saying that his government cannot deliver overnight and needs due time. “ People have not given us mandate for five days, five weeks or five months. They have given us mandate for five long years. The masses can judge our performance after five years and decide accordingly (in next assembly polls). From our side we will try our level best to come upto their expectations,” he said.

The immediate task before the Chief Minister is to keep his government intact despite all problems and challenges. No political leader or party wants to lose power after getting it. Confrontation with centre can be problematic for the government and this confrontation is being avoided presently by the NC leadership. NC, opposition parties, people and centre know that the decisions taken on the special status issue of J&K will never be reversed. This has not happened in past, it will not happen at present and future. The promise for restoration of autonomy or Article 370 just remains on the election manifestoes of political parties and does not find any place in practical politics.

Yes, the problems being faced by people and their solutions do matter in governance. Sometimes political parties in elections promise moon to people but fail to provide any kind of basic relief to masses during their rule. And subsequently, the ruling parties are punished by voters in elections. That is why it is being said that nothing is permanent in politics. No leader or party remains relevant or irrelevant for ever in politics. Changes keep on occurring on political scene and governments do change

Taking people or the promises made with them for granted prove costly for ruling parties in election time. So Omar Abdullah government would not like to be a non-performing government. Any complacency in this direction will help PDP to recover its lost space and become again the political alternative in future even if it is weak right now.

Having been founded by the tallest and most popular leader, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah also known as Sher- e- Kashmir, NC ruled the hearts and minds of the people in Kashmir and Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley areas for decades together. But when NC lost focus, PDP was ready to replace it; and replaced it. Now when the 2024 assembly polls gave NC a new lease of life, it is to be seen how its government handles the political strength it has got. Will the party continue its political dominance in times to come by performing as promised with the people?

Author is senior editor, Greater Kashmir