Dr Farooq’s decision to contest elections solo likely to spark political realignment in J&K

Srinagar, Aug 13: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s recent announcement that his party will contest upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir solo has reportedly disappointed the Congress and Peoples Democratic Party. Both parties had been hoping to ally with the National Conference, but Farooq Abdullah’s decision has forced them to rethink their strategies.
Reliable sources said that top Congress leaders from Jammu and Kashmir are now persuading the party high command to ally with the PDP instead. The Congress leadership is said to be almost convinced, believing that a partnership with the PDP will give them an edge not only in Kashmir but also in Jammu.
Sources added that the Congress leaders have expressed concerns that Farooq Abdullah cannot be trusted, labeling him an opportunist. They argued that the gap between the Congress and PDP was widened by former Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad due to personal reasons and that it’s time to put the past behind and forge a new alliance.
The possibility of a Congress-PDP alliance has sparked hope among party leaders in J&K, who recall the successful governance of the previous PDP-Congress government in 2002. During that time, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was the Chief Minister, and the government was commended for its development work and people-friendly policies.
One of the Congress leaders said that they are optimistic that the alliance will yield positive results, given the PDP’s influence in Kashmir and the Congress’s presence in Jammu.
Farooq Abdullah’s decision has been seen as a strategic move to maintain his party’s identity and not get overshadowed by any alliance partner. However, this move has created an opportunity for the Congress and PDP to come together and challenge the National Conference’s dominance in the region. [KNT]