Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jun 30: In a significant development, the Peoples Conference (PC), Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Justice and Development Front (JDF), and Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) on Monday announced the formation of an alliance that could potentially emerge as the main rival to the National Conference (NC) in the Kashmir Valley.
Addressing a news conference here, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone announced the launch of the Peoples Alliance for Change (PAC).
“We held meetings and consultations with the JDF for the past two to three months and have agreed to form a platform that will work for the interests of the people,” said Lone.
He said that the alliance comprises individuals who have endured pain and suffering in Kashmir over the past three decades.
“There are two types of people in J&K: those who were beaten and jailed, and those who inflicted that suffering. The latter have ruled Kashmir for the past 30 years,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, Shamim Ahmad Thokar, president of the Justice and Development Front—a political party established by Jamaat-e-Islami-affiliated candidates—said, “We cannot succeed alone. To serve the people effectively, we must unite. Our party will join this alternative alliance.”
Peoples Democratic Front president Hakim Muhammad Yasin added that the alliance would fight for the restoration of Kashmiris’ dignity.
The new coalition has the potential to become the primary opposition to the ruling NC-led alliance, particularly given the traditional vote base of the Peoples Conference and the JDF backed by JeI, which was a major political force in the Valley until the 1987 elections.
Yasin’s PDF holds significant influence in the Khansahib area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district. With the Kashmir-based opposition parties in disarray after a humiliating defeat in the 2024 Assembly elections, this alliance could pose a serious challenge to the ruling bloc in future elections.
In their agenda, the alliance has said that they will fight for restoration of Article 370, 35A, and statehood.
The conglomerate has also called for amnesty for political prisoners and detained youth.
It has termed the reservation as a regional issue, saying that it is being used as a tool to disempower Kashmiris.
