NC, PDP trade blame over Kashmir’s political turmoil

SRINAGAR — The National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) exchanged sharp criticisms Wednesday, accusing each other of political betrayals and divisive actions that have shaped Jammu and Kashmir’s recent history.

Nasir Aslam Wani, advisor to the chief minister and senior NC leader, accused the PDP of misleading the public and creating societal divisions through its policies. “What they did in 2008, they repeated in 2010, and their actions in 2016 are also well-remembered by the people. Their agenda has always been to misguide the public and sow discord,” Wani said during a press briefing.

Wani alleged that the PDP’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 paved the way for the abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A, leading to “a decade of destruction.” He added, “If they hadn’t supported the BJP then, Article 370 wouldn’t have been scrapped, and Jammu and Kashmir wouldn’t have faced such turmoil.”

Responding to Wani’s remarks, senior PDP leader Waheed Para fired back, asserting that the NC cannot absolve itself of its own historical betrayals. Para criticized the NC’s failure to deliver on its poll promises, including creating one lakh jobs, and accused it of using alliances to normalize compromises on Article 370.

“The PDP’s alliances with Congress and BJP were based on a Common Minimum Program, focused on addressing Kashmir’s core issues and promoting dialogue,” Para stated. “In contrast, the NC has repeatedly failed to honour its commitments and continues to evade accountability for its actions.”

Para also questioned NC leaders’ actions leading up to the August 5, 2019, abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. “How does Nasir Aslam Wani explain his freedom in 2019 when the rest of Kashmir’s political leadership was detained? Why was he the sole exception?” Para asked.