Balancing loyalty and relevance: Congress’s position in Jammu and Kashmir

By Raqif Makhdoomi  

The Indian National Congress, one of the oldest political parties in the country, played a historic role in India’s freedom movement and post-Independence governance. In Jammu and Kashmir, too, it has had a long and complex political history marked by both cooperation and confrontation with regional parties.

Over the decades, Congress has allied with both the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — the two dominant regional players. Historically, Congress exercised considerable influence in shaping state politics, including during key moments such as the dismissal of Sheikh Abdullah in 1953 and political realignments involving Farooq Abdullah in the 1980s. The party’s central leadership often played a decisive role in determining the course of events in the state.

When Sheikh Abdullah returned to power after years of incarceration, it was under an arrangement that had Congress’s backing. Similarly, Farooq Abdullah’s return to the Chief Minister’s office in 1986 followed an accord with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Later, when Omar Abdullah assumed the post for the first time, it was also through a coalition with Congress.

In the more recent political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, Congress’s alliance with the NC during the first Union Territory elections helped dispel speculation of a hidden understanding between NC and the BJP. The partnership contributed to NC emerging as the single largest party. However, the alliance came at a cost — Congress lost all seats in Jammu and failed to secure any ministerial representation in the government, despite being a coalition partner.

Congress’s continued support to the NC-led government has invited criticism from the BJP, which has used the Article 370 resolution in the Assembly as a political weapon against it. Despite the national-level backlash and electoral setbacks in subsequent state polls, Congress has not withdrawn its support, a stance seen by some as an attempt to maintain political stability in the region.

Tensions between the allies have, however, surfaced. The NC’s decision to field candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections without consulting Congress caused discontent within the state Congress unit, which had hoped for a safe seat. The NC’s outreach to the PDP for support in legislative matters further highlighted the shifting political dynamics. The PDP, in turn, appears to be leveraging its position to gain support for its legislative priorities in the upcoming Assembly session.

Observers note that while Congress has traditionally been a decisive force in Jammu and Kashmir politics, it currently appears to play a more subdued role within the alliance. Some within the party believe that it should assert itself more strongly and seek equitable representation in governance. Others interpret its current stance as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to coalition stability.

Whether Congress’s restrained approach reflects strategic patience or political surrender remains a matter of interpretation. What is clear is that its future relevance in Jammu and Kashmir will depend on how it balances loyalty to its allies with the need to re-establish its own political footing.

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Raqif Makhdoomi is a law student