J&K Statehood Demand Intensifies Amid NC-Congress Discord in Coalition Government
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 23 July 2025
Statehood Demand Returns to the Forefront
Ten months into the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) government in Jammu & Kashmir, the call for restoring full statehood to the region has resurfaced with renewed intensity. At the heart of this political storm lies a significant divide—not between opposing camps, but within the ruling coalition itself.
While both the NC and Congress claim to champion the same cause, their tactics, timing, and coordination have exposed deep fissures in what was hoped to be a united front. These cracks are now threatening the credibility of the statehood movement itself.
With protests erupting in Delhi and Srinagar, internal dissent rising within the NC, and legal options being considered, the question arises: Can Jammu & Kashmir’s ruling alliance overcome its differences to restore statehood—or will disunity cost the region its most important political goal?
Understanding the Statehood Struggle: Background Brief
On August 5, 2019, the Government of India revoked Article 370 and downgraded Jammu & Kashmir from a state to two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh. This decision, unprecedented in India’s constitutional history, was met with both legal challenges and political backlash.
While the Supreme Court upheld the move in 2024, it emphasized that full statehood must be restored “as early as possible.” Since then, pressure has built from across party lines for the government to act on that commitment.
Yet nearly six years later, J&K remains a Union Territory, run largely by the Centre through a Lieutenant Governor. With no Assembly elections since 2014 and no state government until the recent polls, the demand for democratic dignity and federal restoration has only intensified.
Coalition Strains: NC and Congress on Different Tracks
Though NC and Congress fought the 2025 Assembly Elections as partners, the two have increasingly diverged on strategy after the formation of government.
-
The NC leads the government, with Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister.
-
The Congress stayed out of power, choosing to support from outside unless statehood is restored.
This “support without participation” model, however, has now created confusion and confrontation, especially regarding how to pursue the statehood issue.
Congress Goes on Protest Mode: NC Left Out
Congress has launched a visible and vocal protest campaign, holding demonstrations in:
-
Srinagar
-
Jammu
-
Jantar Mantar in New Delhi
Senior leaders including KC Venugopal, Tariq Hameed Karra, Naseer Hussain, and local party cadres participated. Notably, no NC leaders were invited or present—a move seen by many as a snub.
“Our protests for statehood restoration will continue till we get it. It’s our right,”
— Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Congress legislator and CWC member
But when asked about the NC’s absence, he played down the matter—reflecting deeper discomfort beneath the alliance’s surface.
NC’s Reconciliatory Yet Cautious Approach
In contrast, Omar Abdullah’s National Conference has taken a more institutional, procedural route:
-
Introduced a Cabinet resolution for statehood within months of forming the government.
-
Repeated the demand in Assembly debates and INDI Alliance meetings.
-
Yet avoided street protests, hoping instead for a negotiated outcome with the Centre.
Omar has said the NC was not consulted by the Congress for its protest campaigns, adding:
“They didn’t even raise it during INDI Alliance meetings. Had they taken us on board, our leaders would have joined them.”
— Omar Abdullah, J&K CM
This rift is not about intent—but about execution, strategy, and political optics.
Legal Route on the Table: Farooq Abdullah Weighs In
In a significant shift, Farooq Abdullah, NC President and veteran leader, hinted at exploring legal action if the Centre fails to restore statehood.
“We are hopeful that the Centre will act. But if not, we must explore legal options,”
— Farooq Abdullah
This marks a pivot away from soft diplomacy, indicating that even within the NC, patience is wearing thin.
Moreover, a section of NC leaders has demanded a more aggressive posture—criticizing the leadership for “outsourcing” the statehood demand to allies like Congress.
Such internal criticism points to rising frustration within party ranks and pressure on Omar to act decisively.
Congress Strategy: Public Mobilization and Delhi Pressure
Unlike NC, Congress has gone for a national pressure campaign, aiming to:
-
Keep J&K on Delhi’s radar
-
Build cross-party momentum in Parliament
-
Mobilize public sentiment in urban and rural Jammu & Kashmir
This method, while high on optics, risks looking partisan or disconnected if not synchronized with its ruling partner in the state.
The protest at Jantar Mantar was designed to push the Centre publicly—but without NC’s participation, its symbolic strength was diluted.
What’s Fueling the NC-Congress Gap?
Here’s what’s keeping the alliance at odds:
01. Political Positioning
-
Congress wants to pressure the BJP nationally.
-
NC wants to protect its ruling credibility locally.
02. Coalition Complexity
-
Congress supports the government but remains outside it.
-
This creates moral leverage for Congress and governance risk for NC.
03. Trust Deficit
-
Lack of coordination on major issues like protests.
-
INDI Alliance meetings reportedly fail to bring clarity.
What the People Say: Growing Public Frustration
For the people of J&K, this intra-coalition rift is both confusing and disheartening.
-
Many voters feel let down by the lack of unity.
-
Youth groups and civil society activists have called for joint campaigns.
-
Bureaucratic control, police overreach, and development delays continue due to UT status.
The gap between election promises and post-election performance is beginning to show—and both NC and Congress risk losing public trust if the statehood issue is not pursued sincerely and jointly.
What Lies Ahead: Possible Scenarios
Scenario 1: Coordinated Legal and Political Campaign
-
NC and Congress bury differences.
-
Jointly file a legal petition and coordinate Parliament strategy.
Scenario 2: NC Goes Solo, Congress Mobilizes Outside
-
Dual-front pressure on Centre.
-
Risks splitting public narrative and diluting impact.
Scenario 3: Prolonged Rift, BJP Gains Ground
-
BJP leverages opposition disunity.
-
Delays statehood further citing lack of consensus.
Bottom-Line: Time to Choose Between Ego and Unity
The fight for statehood is not just a political battle—it’s a fight for identity, dignity, and democratic restoration in Jammu & Kashmir. That fight cannot succeed if fought on separate tracks.
Both the Congress and the National Conference must recognize that unity is not optional—it’s essential.
If the current coalition is to have any historical legacy, it must be this: Restoring full statehood to J&K through shared struggle, not separated strategies.
The Centre may be delaying—but the people of Jammu & Kashmir are watching. And so is history.
