As Jammu and Kashmir approaches a pivotal election, a new controversy has arisen that poses critical questions about the role of Congress and National Conference (NC) in India’s geopolitical landscape. Pakistan’s indirect endorsement of these parties—voiced by their Defence Minister Kwaja Asif —has fuelled concerns over their alignment with foreign interests, particularly with Pakistan, a nation that has long sought to destabilize India. This accusation, brought to the fore by the BJP, forces us to revisit the implications of Article 370’s abrogation and the dynamics of political alliances in Kashmir. Pakistan’s recent expression of support for Congress-NC coalition, while framed as an “indirect” endorsement, has not gone unnoticed. For a country that continues to wage proxy wars in India through cross-border terrorism, any form of approval from Pakistan towards Indian political entities is alarming. Pakistan’s long-standing interest in Kashmir is rooted in its strategy to disrupt peace and impede India’s progress in the region. Omar Abdullah’s weak condemnation—advising Pakistan to stay out of Indian affairs—hardly serves as damage control. It appears as a mere token effort, lacking the assertiveness needed to distance his party from such a problematic association. This plays into a broader narrative of Congress and NC’s perceived leniency towards Pakistan, a concern exacerbated by past incidents, such as senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s controversial remarks seeking Pakistan’s help to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government ahead of the 2019 elections. The promise of Congress-NC to reinstate Article 370, the provision that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is central to their campaign. However, the reality is that the decision to abrogate Article 370 is constitutionally irreversible. The BJP-led government’s bold move in 2019 to revoke the provision brought Kashmir under the full jurisdiction of the Indian Constitution, integrating it more closely with the rest of India. While Congress and NC cling to the idea of restoration, their narrative ignores the substantial progress made in the region post-abrogation. The removal of Article 370 has paved the way for economic growth, improved infrastructure, and increased opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Under President’s Rule, the region has witnessed the establishment of better roads, electricity, and other developmental projects that were long overdue under previous administrations. This stark contrast between the pre- and post-Article 370 era raises the question: why do Congress and NC continue to push for its restoration? The answer likely lies in their political opportunism, as they attempt to appease a section of voters who remain nostalgic for the old order. However, such a strategy is misguided, as it aligns them with forces both within and outside India that seek to perpetuate instability in the region.
The current electoral contest in Jammu and Kashmir is more than a simple struggle for power—it is a battle for the region’s future direction. Congress, NC, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have found themselves sidelined in recent years, their influence waning after the BJP’s withdrawal from the PDP coalition government. This political vacuum has pushed the opposition into a state of desperation, evident from their willingness to entertain support from hostile foreign entities. While Congress and NC are part of the larger opposition INDIA bloc, their exclusion of PDP from the alliance in the assembly elections reveals an internal conflict. PDP’s poor performance in recent elections, including its failure to secure a single seat in the Lok Sabha, has rendered it a liability. Even Omar Abdullah’s humiliating loss in the Lok Sabha polls to pro-militant activist Rashid Engineer underscores the diminishing power of these regional dynasties. Yet, despite these setbacks, Congress and NC remain fixated on reclaiming power, even if it means playing into Pakistan’s narrative. On the other side of the spectrum, the BJP remains confident in its prospects. The recent delimitation process, which increased the number of seats in Jammu and reduced those in the Kashmir Valley, has given the BJP an electoral advantage. The addition of nine SC/ST reserved seats further bolsters its chances in Hindu-dominated regions, where it has traditionally performed well. While some analysts predict a neck-and-neck race between Congress-NC and BJP, the latter hopes to benefit from the polarization of votes in the Muslim-dominated valley. The BJP’s stance on national security, coupled with its efforts to bring peace and development to the region, positions it as the party of stability and progress. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have campaigned vigorously, urging voters to reject the false promises of the opposition and embrace a future of growth and unity.
Perhaps the most troubling aspect of Congress and NC’s campaign is their willingness to court Pakistan’s approval, albeit indirectly. Farooq Abdullah’s frequent calls for dialogue with Pakistan on “resolving disputes” have only added fuel to the fire. What exactly does Abdullah mean by “disputes”? Pakistan’s unrelenting cross-border terrorism, aimed at destabilizing India, is not up for negotiation. Yet, Abdullah’s vague rhetoric provides cover for Pakistan’s continued meddling in India’s internal affairs. Adding to the concern is Rahul Gandhi’s infamous MoU with China, signed before the 2014 general elections. While the specifics of this agreement remain shrouded in secrecy, it raises questions about Congress’s foreign policy agenda. The reluctance of the Congress-led UPA governments to bolster India’s defense capabilities, particularly along the Chinese border, further demonstrates a pattern of appeasement towards hostile neighbors. As the elections in Jammu and Kashmir progress, the stakes are higher than ever. The Congress-NC alliance, desperate for power, appears willing to align with forces that threaten India’s sovereignty and security. In contrast, the BJP presents itself as the guardian of national interests, committed to fostering peace, development, and integration in the region. The people of Jammu and Kashmir must choose wisely, as the outcome of this election will shape not only their future but the future of India’s unity and security. In a volatile region, the restoration of Article 370 is not the solution—it is a regression. The voters of Jammu and Kashmir must see through the false promises and recognize the dangerous gambit being played by the Congress-NC alliance.
