The political trajectory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), from its formation to its current state, reveals a tale of shifting allegiances, compromised principles, and, most crucially, a betrayal of the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The PDP, founded by the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has had a history of opportunistic alliances, none more controversial than its two alliances with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—the very party whose ideological foundation has long been centered on the abrogation of Article 370 and the Uniform Civil Code. Despite the BJP’s unwavering stance on these issues, the PDP not only compromised on its principles but also misled the common masses of Kashmir, making it more accountable for the region’s current predicament than anyone else.
The BJP’s Core Ideology: Unyielding on Article 370
The BJP, since its formation in 1980, has been firm on its stance on Article 370, which grants special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. This was not a position that evolved over time; it was embedded in the party’s ideology from the outset. Even the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJP’s predecessor), led by Syama Prasad Mukherjee, had made it clear that the demand for the abrogation of Article 370 would be central to its political agenda. It was included in the party’s very first manifesto, and the BJP has carried forward this legacy since its inception.
For the PDP to forge alliances with such a party—one whose core ideological stand is diametrically opposed to the region’s special status—can only be seen as an act of political opportunism. Both Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter, Mehbooba Mufti, understood the BJP’s stance well. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, despite being a seasoned politician, chose to ally with the BJP in 2015, describing the alliance as being “between the North Pole and South Pole.” After his demise, Mehbooba Mufti carried forward this tradition of compromise in 2016. To claim that these alliances were forged in the interest of peace and development is disingenuous. The PDP was fully aware of the BJP’s unwavering commitment to Article 370’s abrogation, yet they chose to form alliances, ignoring the potential ramifications for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Misleading of the Common Masses
The biggest sin of the PDP leadership was not just its ideological contradictions but the way they misled the common people of Kashmir. The PDP built its political identity around the promise of peace, self-rule, and dialogue with the Center, while at the same time forging alliances with a party that sought to undermine that very autonomy. This duplicity has cost the people of Kashmir dearly. The PDP presented itself as a party that could protect the region’s interests, only to ultimately align with the BJP, a party that sought to dismantle the very fabric of the region’s autonomy.
For years, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and later Mehbooba Mufti misled the people by asserting that the alliance with the BJP was in the region’s best interest. However, as time passed, it became clear that their alliances were driven more by political survival than by any real concern for the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The 2015 alliance was particularly egregious, as it came after the BJP had made its intentions clear about Article 370 and the political landscape of the state. Yet, the PDP chose to enter into the alliance, effectively condoning the BJP’s position.
Adding insult to injury, Mehbooba Mufti recently remarked, “It is out of my understanding why JKNC, with 50+ Assembly seats, is not fighting for the restoration of 370. One fails to understand what they would have done had they been in power.” This statement reeks of her tendency to deflect blame while undermining others, despite her party’s central role in paving the way for the abrogation of Article 370 through its alliance with the BJP. Such remarks only expose her tempestuous nature, as the common man now clearly understands the depth of her opportunism. Had she been in a stronger position, one wonders whether she would have bulldozed all opposition with just one blow.
The Current State of PDP: A Party in Decline
Today, the PDP stands at an all-time low. With only three seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, it is a shadow of its former self. The defeat of Iltija Mufti, the daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, from Bijbehara—a constituency the PDP had held since 1996—is a stark reminder of the party’s declining relevance in the region. The PDP’s failure to connect with the people, coupled with its history of alliances with the BJP, has left it increasingly isolated.
Rather than accepting accountability for its role in undermining the region’s political autonomy, the PDP has tried to deflect blame onto the National Conference (NC) and Omar Abdullah. However, in truth, the PDP is far more culpable. The NC and Omar Abdullah, despite their own flaws, at least maintained a more consistent stance on issues like Article 370 and autonomy for the state. In contrast, the PDP’s political dishonesty is undeniable.
Haseeb Drabu and Tariq Karra: Signs of a Party in Disarray
The disarray within the PDP is further evidenced by the actions of key party leaders like Haseeb Drabu and Tariq Karra. Haseeb Drabu, a former finance minister, recently claimed that the PDP was “torn apart by central government agencies.” If that were true, then one must ask: why did he, as a prominent member of the party, not take a stand against these alleged actions when they were unfolding? Instead, Drabu’s actions seem to suggest that after the failure of the National Conference, the PDP hoped to benefit from the BJP’s downfall. Now, he seems eager to rejoin the party, despite his earlier criticisms.
Similarly, Tariq Karra, once misled into thinking he deserved to be the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has proven to be just another opportunist. After accusing his own party, he defected to the Indian National Congress (INC), and now, as the J&K Chief of INC, he appears to be in search of another chance at power. This is not the kind of leadership the people of Jammu and Kashmir need—what is required is genuine accountability, not political opportunism.
The Future of PDP: Apology or More of the Same?
The critical question now is whether the PDP, if it manages to gain any ground in the 2029 assembly elections, will ever address the wrongs it has done to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Will Mehbooba Mufti and her party apologise to the people for misleading them and aligning with a party that has worked against their best interests? Or will they once again embrace the BJP, as they have in the past, in a bid to maintain political relevance?
If the PDP is ever to regain its credibility, it must first recognise the betrayal it has committed against the people of Kashmir. Rather than relying on alliances of convenience, it must genuinely commit to the values of autonomy and self-determination that its original platform promised. Whether they choose to join the BJP again or opt for a different alliance, their first responsibility should be to the people who entrusted them with their votes—not to the political games that have come to define their leadership.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve more than this. The PDP must choose a path of accountability, transparency, and integrity, or it will continue to fade into political irrelevance, remembered only for its role in the betrayal of Kashmir’s aspirations.
