New alliance in Kashmir throws up ‘new alternative’ for ruling NC & Opp PDP

When Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, along with leaders of the Justice and Development Front (comprising former members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami) and Hakeem Yasin of the People’s Democratic Front, recently announced a new alliance named the People’s Alliance for Change, it took many in Jammu and Kashmir by surprise.

Advertisement

It has been nearly nine months since Omar Abdullah was sworn in as Chief Minister after the National Conference (NC) swept the Assembly polls in the Kashmir region. While the elected government is now struggling to function effectively due to its limited powers, the latest political realignment is quietly raising temperatures—particularly in Kashmir.

Handwara MLA Lone projected the new grouping as a “larger political alternative,” with the alliance committed to the restoration of Articles 370 and 35-A, and the return of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

On the ground, however, the key question being discussed is the timing of this alliance. Many believe the answer lies in the political events of the past nine months.

Since the NC came to power, it has struggled to take any major decisions of consequence. The government reportedly lacks control over the higher bureaucracy, with even transfers of certain JKAS officers being handled directly by the Raj Bhavan. This perceived powerlessness has fuelled discontent within the ruling party and among the public. MLAs, who campaigned on big promises, now find themselves cornered and facing difficult questions from their constituencies.

NC spokesperson Tahir Sayeed alleged that after the BJP failed to form the government in J&K last year, the party is now “back with a new game” through this alliance. “This time, it’s old faces in new disguises,” he said, adding that the BJP’s ultimate goal is to “target the NC and the collective voice of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Both BJP leaders and members of the new alliance, however, have firmly rejected these accusations.

NC insiders claim the alliance is part of a BJP-backed strategy to further “corner” the elected government and mount pressure on the party. “It’s been nine months, and full statehood is nowhere in sight. We are not being allowed to function freely. Meanwhile, public dissatisfaction is growing,” said an NC leader. “Such formations only aim to divide the people further and seem like an attempt to fill the void created by the elected government’s inability to perform.”

The timing of the new alliance is also significant as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—which suffered its worst-ever electoral defeat in last year’s Assembly polls—is slowly rebuilding. Several former PDP leaders who had quit the party are now returning, signalling a potential resurgence. This development is worrying for smaller parties, who believe Kashmir is once again drifting towards a two-party system, forcing them to unite to remain relevant.

With urban local body (ULB) and panchayat polls expected soon, many believe the new alliance is also attempting to create “alternative options” for the electorate, particularly as the NC has so far struggled to deliver.

But will this new alliance genuinely emerge as a viable alternative? Last year’s election results suggest otherwise. All three alliance partners failed to make a significant electoral impact.

Lone’s People’s Conference managed to win just one seat. Hakeem Yasin lost from his traditional Khansahib constituency, which he had previously represented as an Independent. The Justice and Development Front (JDF), formed by former members of the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, supported several candidates in last year’s elections, but none secured a seat. Except for their candidate from Kulgam, all JDF nominees even forfeited their deposits.

Despite these setbacks, leaders from the new alliance remain optimistic.

“The People’s Conference has a strong base in North Kashmir. The JDF also secured notable votes in some places in last year’s elections. We are preparing for any upcoming polls, whether ULB or future state elections,” said an alliance leader. “We want to be the genuine voice of the people—unlike the ruling party.”

However, Srinagar-based political analyst Professor Noor Baba remains sceptical. “We have seen similar alliances in the past, but they haven’t changed much on the ground,” he said. “Let’s wait and see what unfolds.”

Professor Baba’s scepticism is rooted in past experiences. Ahead of the last Lok Sabha elections, Lone had formed an alliance with the Altaf Bukhari-led Apni Party. Similarly, before the Assembly polls, the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by jailed MP Engineer Rashid, had entered a strategic alliance with former Jamaat members.

Despite these attempts, the JDF’s candidates were roundly rejected by voters in the last election. Additionally, with the ideological differences between Jamaat sympathisers and Lone’s People’s Conference, the new alliance may face internal friction. In fact, on the eve of the last Assembly polls, some voices in the Valley had accused the Jamaat of being hand in glove with the Centre. “This is not the real Jamaat. This is a manufactured Jamaat,” they claimed.

While it is too early to predict whether the People’s Alliance for Change will succeed, what is certain is that Jammu and Kashmir is entering another dynamic phase of political re-alignments—and more such moves are likely in the near future.