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National Conference and History of Alliances

The National Conference has been well-known for its lust for power. Come what may, the NC leaders consider power as their inherited property. Read More

Friday February 16, 2024 9:42 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) came into existence on 1931. Before being called National Conference, it was known as Muslim Conference. Why did it get divided into two is a separate matter which will be discussed at some point of time.

National Conference President and Former CM Dr. Farooq Abdullah made a statement in which he categorically refused any alliance with INDIA. His statement evoked a strong opposition and his son and Former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, had to come out and clear the clouds around his father’s statement. His clarification to his father’s statement was that they will fight the 03 seats that are already with them alone and the other seats that are with the BJP will have alliance. This is what has been the stand of the National Conference since the beginning of the INDIA alliance.

But this is not the question. The question is “Will NC switch to NDA for an alliance?” Well if someone asks me about it, I without giving it a second thought will say “Yes”.

If you ask me why am I so confident about it, I have all the reasons to be very sure about it. Omar Abdullah, the former CM of Jammu and Kashmir has been a Union Minister in Vajpayee's NDA government. Saiffuddin Soz, who was the NC Parliamentarian then was thrown out of the party by Omar Abdullah because he didn’t vote for Vajpayee government in the Parliament during floor test which led to the fall of the government in 1991 in which Omar Abdullah was a Minister.

Not only this but if we go back to 2014 when the BJP gained seats in Jammu and the PDP in Kashmir, the NC was the first one to approach the BJP for an alliance. The NC even offered the BJP Chief Ministership and were ready with the post of Deputy Chief Minister for the party. Farooq Abdullah, who was in London back then laid enough stress on the party cadre to seal a deal with the BJP. The BJP however backed off.

A very well-known incident is when the National Conference fought the first election under the guidance of Farooq Abdullah back in June 1983 after the death of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah in September 1982. Farooq was called to Delhi on March 1983 by Indira Gandhi. Not to forget Farooq Abdullah used to call Indira Gandhi ‘Mom’. He was called for an alliance with the Congress, but he refused.

The reason why Farooq Abdullah refused the alliance was that he felt if he entered into an alliance it will undermine his abilities. But in Kashmir, he entered an alliance with Mirwaiz Maulavi Farooq that helped him to sweep the Kashmir Valley and also helped him pick 08 seats from Jammu. On the other hand, the Congress could win just 24 seats.

As the time passed, Indira Gandhi, the Mummy, become more eager for revenge and she finally took it when on July 02, 1984 the defectors reached Raj Bhavan before the sunrise and Farooq Abdullah was dismissed as CM and GM shah was made Chief Minister.

Farooq Abdullah who couldn’t have been out of power for long finally surrendered to the Congress and signed an accord on 2nd of November 1986, known as Farooq Rajiv Accord. Five days later, Farooq Abdullah took oath as CM once again on 7th of November 1986.

While forming alliance with the Congress, Farooq Abdullah, didn’t even gave a second thought about his alliance partner Mir Waiz Farooq who helped him take the Valley by storm.

Back in 1994, when the government was in talks with separatists in jail for the restoration of election process, Farooq Abdullah who was in London, came back running and expressed his displeasure over engaging with them just because he feared his CM chair being in danger.

The National Conference has been well-known for its lust for power. Come what may, the NC leaders consider power as their inherited property. They can do anything, like the BJP, for the sake of power. For them, Alliance with the NDA means nothing. They can ally with anyone who promises them POWER.

[The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is student of law and Rights Activist. Views expressed are personal.]

 

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