Srinagar, October 22, 2025 – The Indian National Congress party conspicuously abstained from a crucial meeting convened by National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday, raising questions about the stability of the ruling alliance in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was intended to formulate a unified strategy for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections and the approaching Assembly session, scheduled to commence on October 23.
The absence of Congress, a key coalition partner, underscores the growing unease and simmering tensions within the alliance. Sources suggest that the Congress party is displeased with the perceived ill-treatment and lack of consultation on critical issues.
Adding to the political turbulence, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, a prominent Member of Parliament from the NC, has also distanced himself from the poll campaign. In a cryptic social media post, Ruhullah alluded to being guided by the people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than any political institution, further fueling speculation about internal rifts within the ruling party.
Prior to the NC meeting, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) held its own separate meeting, presided over by Chief Tariq Hameed Karra. After a three-hour discussion, the party decided to skip the NC-led strategy session. Karra stated that the Congress party would await directives from its central leadership in Delhi before making any decisions regarding alliance discussions. He emphasized the importance of adhering to the directions of the central leadership, given that Congress is a national party.
"Unless there is a clear signal from our central leadership in Delhi, we will not attend any meeting called by the National Conference," Karra told reporters. He further explained that the sentiments and suggestions of the legislators have been conveyed to the high command, and the party's next course of action will be determined after consulting with them.
Karra downplayed suggestions that Congress was in a dilemma regarding voting in the Rajya Sabha polls, urging observers not to jump to conclusions. However, he acknowledged that confidence within the Congress party has been shaken due to certain incidents.
The NC had extended invitations to all legislators within the ruling alliance, including the six Congress MLAs, five independent members, and CPI (M) MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami. The absence of Congress from the meeting has cast a shadow on the alliance's cohesiveness and future prospects.
The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir is further complicated by the upcoming by-elections for the Rajya Sabha and two Assembly seats. The Budgam seat, in particular, will be closely watched, as it fell vacant after Omar Abdullah of the NC chose to retain the Ganderbal seat following the 2024 assembly elections.
The unfolding events suggest a period of intense negotiations and political maneuvering as the parties involved seek to recalibrate their strategies and address the underlying issues threatening the stability of the ruling coalition. The decisions made by the Congress high command in Delhi will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of the alliance and the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
