The National Conference, Jammu and Kashmir’s largest regional party, declared on Thursday that it would independently contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and potential assembly polls in the Union Territory. Party chief and Lok Sabha MP Farooq Abdullah made this announcement in Srinagar, dealing another blow to the INDIA bloc and the regional PAGD alliance. Abdullah stated, “Elections will happen, and I believe both assembly and Parliament elections will be held together. Regarding seat sharing, I want to clarify that the National Conference will contest elections independently. There is no ambiguity about it.” The National Conference had been part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) grouping, which also includes the Congress, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), Trinamool Congress, DMK, and Left parties, among others. Both AAP and Trinamool Congress have announced plans to contest separately in Punjab and West Bengal. This decision also signifies the end of the People’s Alliance on Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), formed before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The regional grouping had previously indicated its intention to contest elections jointly. While there has been no announcement regarding the holding of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the parliamentary elections are scheduled. This would mark the first major democratic exercise in the region since the revocation of its special status in August 2019. Abdullah welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Jammu and Kashmir, stating, “The prime minister’s visit is a positive development. He is expected to announce some projects.” Regarding the Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral bonds, Abdullah expressed support, emphasizing the public’s right to know the sources of political parties’ funding. He said, “It is essential that the government accepts this verdict, and political parties disclose the amount and sources of their funding. People should know the source of financial power. I hope this happens before the general election.” Addressing the Enforcement Directorate’s summons related to an alleged scam in the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, Abdullah criticized the agency, echoing opposition parties’ claims that it is being used to target political leaders. He said, “I will appear before the ED; I am not afraid. If they think they can eliminate the National Conference by imprisoning Farooq Abdullah, they are mistaken because the National Conference is a movement.” Discussing the farmers’ protest, Abdullah urged the central government to find a resolution, saying, “When the farm bills were introduced, the Opposition demanded a select committee to address their shortcomings. However, the bills were passed with a brute majority. As a result, nearly 750 farmers lost their lives. The bills were withdrawn just before the UP elections. Now, with general elections approaching, farmers are protesting again. I pray that the government acts sensibly, and no innocent farmer loses their life.” Regarding the situation in Pakistan, Abdullah emphasized the need for a stable Pakistan for a stable India, stating, “An unstable Pakistan is not in our best interest.” Abdullah also condemned the recent killing of laborers from Punjab by terrorists in Kashmir, stating, “It is unfortunate that innocent people who have no involvement in politics are being killed. However, those responsible for the killings knew the consequences for their families. No religion permits the killing of innocents, not even of the guilty, as that is the job of the law. Therefore, I condemn it.” Lastly, Abdullah criticized the government for introducing electronic voting machines (EVMs) in India, claiming they can be manipulated. He said, “EVMs can be tampered with. When EVMs were introduced in J&K, we were in government. Mohammad Shafi (Uri) asked if there was a possibility of manipulation. Initially, the officer was silent, but when questioned again, he admitted it could be done. The government should not have introduced these machines if they could undermine people’s rights. The election results would have been delayed by two months, but what harm would that have caused?”
