by Raashid Andrabi
SRINAGAR: Barely hours ahead of the much-awaited verdict of the Supreme Court’s 5-judge constitution bench on Article 370, two key People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) members, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) are engaged in verbal duels. They are accusing each other of uncharitable criticism.
Omar Abdullah, JKNC Vice President, cautioning PDP against criticism, said, “I have plenty to talk about political rivals.” He references recent PDP leaders’ criticisms of the National Conference, blaming them for the present political turmoil. “They have been raking up issues for the past 30 years,” he adds, emphasising the longstanding discord.
Expressing disappointment, Omar said that there is too much inconsistency in Mehbooba Mufti’s statements. “There is a difference between heaven and earth.” He recounts a conversation with Mehbooba, where she allegedly blamed the first attack on NC leaders from South Kashmir but later contradicted herself in Ganderbal. Omar anticipates further changes in her stance, saying, “I hope that when she will speak again the day after tomorrow, and say something else.”
“I am sorry that in 2009 when we had extended the hand of friendship with PDP to stop BJP, at that time our hand was rejected.” He attributes current challenges to this rejection and underscores PDP’s alleged initiation of attacks, saying, “The first attack was made by PDP. And it did not start this year; it started last year.”
On the PDP side, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, PDP’s youth president, voices concerns about the treatment disparity since the abrogation of Article 370.
He cites instances where other parties receive privileges, contrasting sharply with PDP members who face arrests and detentions. In a detailed interview with a Delhi-based news website, Parra acknowledges differences within the Gupkar Alliance. “The National Conference seemed more confident in its approach.”
Parra expressed concerns about the differential treatment meted out to the PDP, emphasising the crackdown on its leaders and workers. He cited instances where other parties received privileges such as security, accommodation, and government support, contrasting sharply with the treatment of PDP members who faced arrests and detentions.
Discussing the Gupkar Alliance, Parra acknowledged the differences in treatment within the alliance, stating that the PDP faced more challenges despite common goals. He noted that the National Conference, a key alliance member, seemed more confident in its approach, with varying statements from the PDP and the National Conference.
“We can advocate for a greater cause when we can claim shared suffering, but the reality is, we are not experiencing equal hardship. Just yesterday, we conducted a routine protest in Srinagar addressing the electricity shortage—an issue all parties engage in. The Congress does it, the BJP does it, and even the Apni Party staged protests across districts with police escorting their participants. However, in our case, there were attempts to suppress our voice,” said Waheed.
When questioned about the National Conference’s role in the scenario, Waheed commented, “Judging by their statements, they exude confidence and are more proactive than any other political party in Kashmir.”
“However, our viewpoints sharply differ from theirs. Mehbooba Mufti has consistently been the first to respond to sensitive issues over the past four years. While we may not be as robust as other parties here—having lost 40 members since 2019—our strength lies in articulating sentiments and raising pertinent issues, placing us at the forefront. This is the price we pay,” Waheed concluded.
The second-rung leaders of the JKNC and JKPDP have been openly talking against each other for a long time. Indications suggest that it is unlikely that they will be able to contest Lok Sabha or assembly elections jointly as was once thought about.
