Recalling Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s 'politics of dialogue' with opposing political forces

By Raqif Makhdoomi* 

The political history of Jammu and Kashmir has been marked by frequent shifts, contestations, and controversies. Public memory of political leaders in the region has often been shaped less by long-term governance outcomes and more by the political conflicts and crises that defined their tenures. Electoral participation, for long periods, was driven by limited political alternatives, with voters repeatedly returning the same leadership despite unfulfilled promises, particularly those related to dignity, representation, and accountability.

The late 1990s marked a significant change in this political landscape. In 1999, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, a politician with a long association with the Indian National Congress and a former Union Minister for Tourism, launched the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The formation of the PDP altered electoral competition in Jammu and Kashmir by introducing a new political platform that sought to distinguish itself through its stated emphasis on dialogue, political participation, and democratic engagement.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who passed away exactly a decade ago, on January 7, 2016, was not a new figure in public life at the time. He had served in various political capacities at both the state and national levels, including as India’s Union Home Minister, making him the first Muslim to hold that office. During his tenure as Home Minister, his daughter was kidnapped by militants. The government’s handling of the crisis became a subject of national debate, particularly regarding the balance between state authority and humanitarian considerations. Sayeed consistently maintained that dialogue was necessary to resolve political conflicts in Jammu and Kashmir.

This approach continued to shape the ideological framework of the PDP. The party’s emphasis on dialogue rather than coercion was reflected in its slogan advocating conversation over violence. Following its formation, the PDP contested the 2002 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, winning 16 seats and forming a coalition government with the Congress. This marked the first time a newly formed regional party emerged as a major governing force in the state within such a short period.

The PDP increased its seat tally in subsequent elections—winning 21 seats in 2008 and 28 seats in 2014—and formed governments through alliances, including with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2015. The party also gained representation in both houses of Parliament. This electoral trajectory indicated the PDP’s consolidation as a significant political actor in the region during Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s leadership.

In fact, his political engagement with the BJP evolved over different phases of national politics. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister, Sayeed supported and aligned with initiatives that emphasised dialogue, reconciliation, and confidence-building measures in Jammu and Kashmir. Vajpayee’s approach, particularly his articulation of resolving the Kashmir issue within the framework of “Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat aur Kashmiriyat”, resonated with Sayeed’s long-standing emphasis on political engagement and dialogue. This convergence facilitated cooperation between the PDP-led government and the Vajpayee administration, including support for cross-Line of Control initiatives and people-to-people contact measures.

In contrast, the PDP’s alliance with the BJP following the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections represented a pragmatic political arrangement shaped by electoral arithmetic rather than ideological convergence. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the alliance brought together parties with historically divergent positions on Jammu and Kashmir. As Chief Minister, Sayeed described the coalition as an opportunity to bridge regional and political divides between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley and between the state and the Union government. The alliance remained politically contested within the state, reflecting broader debates over governance, federal relations, and the future political direction of Jammu and Kashmir.

As Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed served for a cumulative period of approximately three years and ten months. During his tenure, several higher education institutions were established, including Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and the Islamic University of Science and Technology. These institutions expanded access to professional and technical education within the state, reducing the need for students to pursue such courses outside Jammu and Kashmir. Nursing colleges were also approved during this period as part of broader efforts to strengthen healthcare education.

Sayeed’s administration placed emphasis on governance measures aimed at restoring public confidence in institutions and addressing concerns related to civil rights and political participation. His tenure witnessed efforts to alter the relationship between the state and citizens, particularly in the context of law enforcement and political engagement. The role and treatment of political workers across parties also received attention during this period.

At the national level, during his tenure as Union Minister for Tourism, Sayeed focused on identifying and developing key tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. Infrastructure improvements undertaken during that period continue to support local livelihoods dependent on tourism.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also advocated engagement between India and Pakistan, particularly on issues related to Jammu and Kashmir. One of the most notable outcomes of this approach was the launch of the Srinagar–Muzaffarabad bus service, which enabled cross-Line of Control travel and facilitated reunions between divided families.

While political assessments of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed vary across ideological lines, his career reflects an approach that combined electoral politics, coalition governance, and sustained emphasis on dialogue. His legacy remains part of ongoing debates on governance, conflict resolution, and political participation in Jammu and Kashmir.

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*Law student