The upcoming Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir mark the end of a six-year political gridlock. The elections carry significant weight, as this is the first-ever Assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
Political History
The political terrain of Jammu and Kashmir has been dominated by two major parties, the National Conference (NC), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Both parties have dominated the assembly elections for decades.
National Conference (NC)
The NC was established in 1932 by Sheikh Abdullah and represented one of the main faces of Kashmiri regional politics. Having spearheaded the political movement of the region in the pre-independence era, Sheikh Abdullah went on to become the first Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after 1947. His son, Farooq Abdullah, and later his grandson, Omar Abdullah, carried forward the party’s influence and generational hold on regional politics.
The Abdullah family had a longer and more significant influence. Sheikh Abdullah was the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 1948 to 1953 and later served as the Chief Minister from 1975 to 1982. His son, Farooq Abdullah, has been Chief Minister in three separate terms: 1982-1984, 1986-1990, and 1996-2002. Farooq’s son, Omar Abdullah, too, remained in the position from 2009 to 2015.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) emerged in 1999 as a significant alternative to the NC, founded by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Mufti first served as Chief Minister from 2002 to 2005, leading a coalition with the Congress Party. After his passing in 2016, his daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, assumed leadership of the party and became the region’s first woman Chief Minister, serving from 2016 to 2018.
Other Influential Leaders
Additionally, leaders like Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, who served as the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 1953 to 1963, had a lasting impact on the state’s political structure. Another notable figure was Syed Mir Qasim of the Congress, who served as Chief Minister from 1972 to 1975.
The two dominant political families in the region are vying for a comeback. However, their path to power is filled with challenges. The poor performance of Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti in the recent Lok Sabha elections points to a growing shift toward alternative political movements in the conflict-ridden region.
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