SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para on Sunday said Kashmir’s politics was not the fiefdom of any single political party, accusing the ruling National Conference (NC) of adopting contradictory positions on the region’s political future for electoral gains.
Para’s remarks came amid a political exchange following speculation that Ruwa Shah, granddaughter of late separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, may join the PDP. The NC had reportedly criticised the possibility, with its chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq saying that invoking her grandfather’s name for political purposes would be wrong if she was seeking to mislead people.
In Kashmir the National Conference advocated two opposite ends of the political spectrum —-> pro – Pakistan plebiscite to pro- India secession purely out of political expedience. Their top leadership once garlanded Jinnah with a string of shoes only to wave Pakistani salt during elections to trick gullible voters.
Ostensibly the NC also speaks of mainstream & reconciliation both in the same breath. But when news of a young Kashmiri woman getting into politics surfaces all hell breaks loose.
@ShahRuwa hasn’t just inherited a rich political legacy but suffered immense tragic personal losses. From seeing her grandfather’s own journey spanning from a mainstream electoral politician to a hardcore separatist, helplessly seeing her father take his last breaths in jail to being indiscriminately targeted and deprived to mourn own losses.
If this young woman ever decides to take a plunge into Kashmir’s turbulent political waters why must it evoke such petty insecurity & appalling ad hominem remarks?
Kashmir’s politics isn’t the fiefdom of any single party. And who erroneously assume so do it only at their own peril.
— Waheed Ur Rehman Para (@parawahid) November 15, 2026
In a post on X, Para accused the National Conference of shifting its political positions according to electoral considerations.
He alleged that the party had moved between contrasting positions, ranging from advocating a pro-Pakistan plebiscite to supporting what he described as pro-India secession, depending on political circumstances.
Para also referred to the political legacy of the Geelani family, saying Ruwa Shah had inherited a significant political legacy while enduring personal losses.
He said she had witnessed her grandfather’s political journey from a mainstream electoral politician to a separatist leader and had also seen her father die in jail.
Questioning the criticism surrounding her possible entry into politics, the PDP legislator said her political ambitions should not invite personal attacks or remarks targeting her family background.
He further accused the NC of speaking about mainstream politics and reconciliation while reacting strongly to reports of a young Kashmiri woman entering the political arena.
“Kashmir’s politics isn’t the fiefdom of any single party. And who erroneously assume so do it only at their own peril,” Para said.
