NC Working Committee Reaffirms Special Status & Statehood Demand, Adopts Cooperative Approach with Centre
By: Javid Amin | 28 November 2025
A Party at a Crossroads
The National Conference (NC), one of Jammu & Kashmir’s oldest political institutions, has been a barometer of Kashmiri aspirations for nearly a century. From shepherding the region’s constitutional autonomy during Sheikh Abdullah’s era to navigating post-Article 370 politics, the NC has weathered phases of repression, negotiation, reinvention, and revival.
But the party’s latest Working Committee meeting in Srinagar marks an inflection point. Convened in the shadow of the Budgam bypoll defeat and simmering intra-party dissent, the two-day gathering reaffirmed the NC’s most consistent commodity—its ideological core—while simultaneously unveiling a subtle shift in strategy: a deliberate turn toward cooperation with New Delhi instead of confrontation.
In Kashmir’s fiercely contested political theatre, this recalibration is neither accidental nor cosmetic. It reflects a mix of electoral realities, governance pressures, legal constraints, and an evolving public mood in the Valley that oscillates between constitutional grievances and everyday governance demands.
This analysis unpacks why the NC reaffirmed its push for special status and statehood, why cooperation now appears tactically viable, how dissent and internal friction shape this choice, and what it means for the region’s political future.
The Working Committee Meeting: Why It Matters
Held at the party headquarters of Nawa-i-Subh in Srinagar under the stewardship of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Working Committee’s meeting was more than a routine review session. It functioned on three layers:
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Crisis Management:
The Budgam bypoll loss, an unexpected setback in a traditional NC stronghold, served as the immediate trigger. Losing ground to the PDP—once a shrinking rival—sent a message that the NC cannot presume loyalty from its base. -
Internal Cohesion:
Senior MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi’s exclusion—after 23 uninterrupted years of participation—signaled internal tension that could no longer be downplayed. -
Strategic Reset:
The party needed to decide whether to maintain its posture of confrontation with the Centre or pivot toward cooperation to unblock governance obstacles.
Each of these layers shaped the eventual resolution: reaffirming core constitutional demands while adopting a calibrated, pragmatic approach toward Delhi.
Reaffirming Special Status and Statehood: The NC’s Political Spine
The NC’s reaffirmation of its demand for the restoration of Article 370, Article 35A, and full statehood is not surprising. These positions are foundational to its identity, voter base, and narrative of historical legitimacy.
But in this meeting, the language sharpened.
01. Why Special Status Is Non-Negotiable for the NC
For the NC, special status represents:
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A symbol of Kashmir’s distinct identity
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A constitutional guarantee of its autonomy
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A negotiated arrangement between New Delhi and Sheikh Abdullah
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A historical pact, not a privilege
By reaffirming it, the Working Committee signaled continuity amid turbulence.
02. Statehood as a Practical and Emotional Demand
Post-August 2019, statehood carries:
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Administrative urgency
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Constitutional logic
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Emotional weight
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A sense of dignity and agency
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized statehood as a matter of “people’s dignity,” connecting governance reforms directly to political identity.
03. Restoring Public Trust After 2019
By reiterating these demands, the NC aims to reaffirm to its base:
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“We have not abandoned you.”
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“Our ideological commitments remain intact.”
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“We aim to reclaim what was taken, but through constitutional means.”
This is crucial for a party that competes with the PDP, People’s Conference, and Apni Party—each carving its own post-370 narrative.
Why the Shift Toward Cooperation Is Strategic, Not Symbolic
If reaffirmation of special status was the ideological constant, the choice of cooperation over confrontation was the strategic variable.
Why Cooperation Now?
Several factors push the NC toward a more collaborative stance:
A. Governance Gridlock: The Raj Bhawan vs Elected Leadership
NC leaders have repeatedly expressed frustration over dual governance channels:
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The Raj Bhawan (representing the Centre)
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The elected government
This creates:
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Conflicting directives
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Delays in critical decisions
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Bottlenecks in development projects
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Reduced autonomy of ministers and officials
By opting for a cooperative stance, the NC hopes to:
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Ease bureaucratic friction
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Accelerate public service delivery
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Strengthen the CM’s ability to govern
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Prevent administrative sabotage from political differences
Cooperation, in this framework, becomes less about ideological compromise and more about administrative necessity.
B. Electoral Reality Check
The Budgam bypoll served as a warning shot. While the NC triumphed in the Lok Sabha polls earlier, its bypoll performance highlighted:
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Youth disillusionment
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Localized anti-incumbency
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The cost of internal factionalism
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A perception that NC is not adapting fast enough
This forces the leadership to consolidate rather than provoke.
C. The Centre’s Dominance in J&K’s Political Architecture
Post-370, nearly every major decision relating to J&K is centralized:
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Land rules
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Industrial policy
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Security protocols
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Election schedules
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Administrative appointments
Confrontation often leads to dead ends. Cooperation opens limited but functional channels.
The NC’s shift is thus a tactical recognition of structural realities.
D. Public Mood in Kashmir: Fatigue and Pragmatism
People in J&K carry deep political wounds, but they also demand:
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Jobs
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Infrastructure
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Stable governance
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Healthcare
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Merit-based institutions
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Safety in daily life
The NC reads this as a cue: ideological battles must not obstruct governance.
E. A Long-Term View of Constitutional Restoration
Farooq Abdullah has repeatedly argued that the path to restoring special status will be long and constitutional.
This requires:
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Political stability
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Legal strategy
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Broad alliances
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Public patience
Confrontation offers emotional satisfaction but rarely yields legal breakthroughs.
Ruhullah’s Exclusion: A Window Into NC’s Internal Fault Lines
Perhaps the most talked-about development was not in the resolution but in the empty chair: Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, MP from Srinagar, and one of NC’s most articulate voices.
01. Who Is Ruhullah and Why Does His Absence Matter?
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A three-time MLA
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A popular Shia leader
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A vocal critic of post-370 governance
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A rising youth icon
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A proponent of a harder ideological line
For 23 years, Ruhullah was part of every NC Working Committee meeting. His exclusion signaled deliberate sidelining.
02. Points of Friction Between Ruhullah and the Leadership
Ruhullah has diverged from the party line on:
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Post-370 rhetoric
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Reservation policies
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Youth protests
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Governance failures
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The need for more assertive resistance
He often articulates what NC’s young, ideologically-driven supporters feel—sometimes at odds with Omar Abdullah’s more centrist pragmatism.
03. The Risk: Losing a Generation
Ruhullah’s exclusion may alienate:
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Young urban Kashmiris
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Shia voters
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Ideological supporters demanding a stronger stand
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Critics of the Centre who see cooperation as compromise
But the leadership seems prepared to take this risk in the short term to stabilize governance.
The Resolution: What the NC Finally Decided
The official resolution distilled the meeting into three pillars:
01. Special Status and Statehood
Reaffirmed as non-negotiable political goals.
02. Cooperation With the Centre
Presented as a pragmatic approach favored over confrontational politics.
03. Public Safety, Governance & Service Delivery
Prioritized amid increasing public complaints about dual governance hurdles.
Additionally:
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Dissent was acknowledged but not empowered.
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Electoral setbacks were dissected internally.
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Organisational reforms were promised but not detailed.
The resolution projects the NC as principled yet pragmatic.
What This Signals for Kashmir’s Wider Political Landscape
01. For the PDP
NC’s shift toward cooperation reduces PDP’s space to position itself as the only “voice of resistance.”
02. For People’s Conference & Altaf Bukhari’s Apni Party
Both parties, seen as closer to the Centre, may lose their monopoly on the “pragmatic” space.
03. For the BJP
NC’s cooperative posture may create room for issue-based engagement without deep alliance politics.
04. For the Congress
NC’s moderation aligns with the Congress’ national stance—potential future coordination?
The Risks of Cooperation
The NC leadership’s pivot is not without dangers.
01. Alienating the Ideological Base
Supporters demanding:
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Strong resistance
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Vocal anti-370 advocacy
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A more confrontational tone
may feel betrayed.
02. Strengthening Rival Narratives
PDP and PC may exploit the “NC softened its stance” narrative.
03. Internal Factionalism
Ruhullah’s exclusion could snowball into broader discontent.
04. Being Outmaneuvered by the Centre
If cooperation yields few concrete returns, NC risks appearing weak.
The Possible Upside
Despite risks, the NC sees several advantages.
01. Governance Stability
A must for an elected CM navigating a centralized administrative structure.
02. Smooth Delivery of Public Services
From road projects to employment schemes.
03. Electoral Consolidation
A moderated approach may appeal to:
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Older voters
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Rural constituencies
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Business communities
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Moderate voices
04. Tactical Long Game
Stability + public trust could strengthen NC’s position in future state elections and future legal challenges.
What People in Kashmir Want: The Ground Mood
Multiple surveys, local reporting, and civil society interactions point to a layered public sentiment:
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Political Grievances Remain Deep
Post-370 bitterness endures. -
But Governance Now Matters More Than Ever
Jobs, electricity, investments, and safety dominate daily concerns. -
People Want Results, Not Rhetoric
Emotional speeches rarely translate into livelihood gains. -
Desire for Predictability & Stability
Years of uncertainty have drained public patience.
NC is betting that its new mix of ideology + pragmatism aligns with public priorities.
The Road Ahead: What NC Must Navigate
10.1 Internal Reconciliation
Keeping dissent inside the tent is crucial.
10.2 Tangible Deliverables
Cooperation must yield visible improvements.
10.3 Clear Communication
Without explaining pragmatism, the base may misinterpret intentions.
10.4 Stronger Organizational Structure
Post-bypolls, cadre rebuilding is necessary.
Bottom-Line: Will NC’s New Strategy Work?
The NC’s decision to reaffirm its constitutional commitments while adopting a cooperative posture represents one of its most significant strategic recalibrations in years. It is not a retreat but a reorientation—a shift from high-pitched confrontation to calibrated engagement.
Whether this succeeds depends on:
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The Centre’s willingness to reciprocate
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NC’s ability to deliver governance outcomes
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Management of internal dissent
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Public reception across Kashmir’s diverse constituencies
In the fraught political landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, strategy must balance principle with practicality.
The NC’s Working Committee has chosen a middle path—one that seeks to keep the constitutional flame alive while ensuring the machinery of governance does not collapse under ideological rigidity.
Only time will tell if this new pragmatism can translate into political renewal, public confidence, and tangible constitutional progress.
