To regain relevance in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress must demand its fair share – or walk away
Raqif Makhdoomi
The Indian National Congress, famously known as Congress, not only governed India for decades but also shaped India and contributed to freeing it from British occupation. Congress has a long history of sacrifices, contributions, and governance across India. Does it have a history in Jammu and Kashmir? Its history in Jammu and Kashmir is a mixture of contributions and betrayals. I am not accusing Congress of having a history solely of contributions and betrayals, but as a grand old party, it could have played a greater role, which it did not.
In Jammu and Kashmir, Congress used to be a decisive force. It has had alliances with both the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party, both major regional parties. We also know how many times Congress has made its old ally, NC, fall in line again and again. Be it Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1953 or his son Farooq Abdullah in 1984, Congress has managed to bring both father and son into line. When Farooq Abdullah refused an alliance with Congress, everyone knows how he was compelled to enter into an alliance by Congress. I do not approve of what Congress did to make them fall in line, but Congress ensured that things were done its way.
No doubt, when Sheikh Abdullah came out of jail, he was made the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir immediately. Also, when Farooq Abdullah entered into an agreement with Rajiv Gandhi, he was again allowed to take over as Chief Minister. Whatever party was in power, Congress decided and made the National Conference do what it wanted. Where Congress made NC fall in line, it also helped it retain power time and again. When Omar Abdullah was to become the Chief Minister for the first time, it happened only after Congress agreed to an alliance once more. In the first Union Territory election, it was only after Congress that people believed the National Conference wasn’t in any hidden alliance with the BJP, which also helped them emerge as the single largest party. On the other hand, the alliance with the National Conference cost Congress seats in Jammu. Congress lost all its seats in Jammu. Congress, whose alliance partner was in the government, isn’t holding any ministry in the cabinet. From the very beginning, Congress has supported the government selflessly, which the BJP is using as a tool to target Congress.
In the states that went to the polls after Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP used it sharply to attack Congress. The Article 370 resolution in the Assembly also put Congress in the national spotlight, but it still kept supporting the government. Had it been another national party besides Congress, it might have withdrawn support because of mounting criticism. The alliance cost Congress seats in the subsequent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The Article 370 resolution in the JK Assembly allowed the BJP to attack Congress, with Congress being defenceless. Even after facing opposition at the national level, Congress continues to support the government and is ensuring its stability.
The National Conference seems to be very ungrateful to its loyal ally. NC must learn a lesson from what the BJP did to the PDP. While the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was busy with the Chief Secretary signing files, the BJP withdrew support and left the PDP confused. Even the CM wasn’t aware that the ally would hold a press conference, which marked the last day of the government. Although the BJP had a significant and equal share in the government, they withdrew support mainly because the upcoming Parliament elections made them want to avoid any weakness.
Congress currently has no ministry in the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet. Even the state president of Congress isn’t part of the cabinet. The Congress seems indifferent about this and appears fine with it, for reasons best known to them. However, people see this as a sign of loyalty on Congress’s part. But the National Conference has left its ally red-faced. The Rajya Sabha elections have also annoyed Congress. While NC decided on its candidates for the Rajya Sabha, it completely ignored its ally. Congress was expecting a safe seat, but got none. The state unit of Congress is now annoyed with NC’s denial of a safe seat. NC has also approached PDP for support in the elections. PDP has played its cards well, seeking support for its bills in the upcoming assembly session, which is set to begin in November. The last assembly session ended amid chaos, halting business, but if the agreement between NC and PDP comes to a logical end, it could result in a smoother session.
Congress has been a deciding force in Jammu and Kashmir, but now it seems to accept whatever comes its way. Congress could have performed better in Jammu had it not allied with the NC. It still has the potential to perform very well in both regions. Congress needs to end its “unconditional” support for the National Conference and demand its fair share in the government. One-sided love hurts and serves no purpose. Once Congress withdraws its support to NC, it will have no authority to label others as the B-team of the BJP.
Raqif Makhdoomi is a law student
ra***************@***il.com