As a new government prepares to take centre stage in Kashmir after nearly six years of central rule, expectations in Jammu Kashmir have reached unprecedented levels. This historical burden has often fallen on the National Conference, whether during the 1996 elections or when Sheikh Abdullah returned to power in 1975.
The newly elected government comes in the wake of perhaps the most significant decision since the 1953 amendment affecting regional autonomy: the revocation of Jammu Kashmir’s special status on August 5, 2019. On that day, the region was also bifurcated into two federally ruled Union Territories; Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh.
Following a hiatus of ten years, the elections were conducted in the region on the directions of India’s Supreme court. The elections saw an unprecedented participation, mostly from young people in Kashmir.
The process is over and the result: National Conference Jammu Kashmir has won with a thumping majority—46 seats out of 90 in Jammu Kashmir, marking its best performance since 1996.
Javid Ahmed, a political expert from the Srinagar district of Kashmir, believes the new mandate carries a heavy burden. “The National Conference faces a difficult path ahead. The challenges are immense—people have endured unprecedented hardship, and for the first time in decades, the party has witnessed significant support beyond its traditional base,” said Javid, who teaches political science at a private college.
While political debates rage on social media, it’s easy to overlook the pressing issue of food security—but only those who are well-fed can afford to do so. Having enough to eat is a privilege.
For many residents, reorganizing the Public Distribution System is seen as a top priority for the new government. Abdul Rahman Dar, an elderly resident from the Chitragam area of Zainapora in Shopian, emphasized, “We don’t want to impose a deadline on the government or demand that this issue be addressed first, but it certainly needs to be taken up and resolved as soon as possible.”
For Insha Dar, a 12th-grade student, restoring the traditional December academic session is crucial. She expressed frustration over the current system, explaining that students end up wasting the three-month winter vacation. “It makes no sense that the government changed the session just to align Kashmir with the rest of the country, especially when we have a long winter break here. The system needs to change soon, so students can invest their time in something productive rather than losing it entirely,” Insha said.
While public expectations continue to rise, insiders suggest that such conversations are largely absent within the leadership of the National Conference.
“Aside from a few members, most of the leadership is focused on ministerial positions and Rajya Sabha seats,” said a source. The source added that while the National Conference is understandably concerned with government formation, discussions about the next steps or broader governance issues have been minimal in meetings and internal discussions so far.
“There are pressing issues, and the party needs to recognize that people have placed their trust in its firm stance on post-abrogation changes, and it must deliver,” said the source. He noted that many party members are already staking claims to ministerial and Rajya Sabha seats, seemingly indifferent to the urgent matters at hand.
“Yes, Kashmir has endured significant losses over the past five years, to the point where people have lost track of all that has been taken from us. But for the leadership to lose sight of these losses would be truly unfortunate,” he told The Kashmiriyat.
While a section of the party’s leadership continues to claim to be the rightful owners of the ministerial berths, people in Jammu also have their hopes high from the next government. Rajesh Gupta, a 52-year-old shopkeeper, expressed his concerns: “Our business heavily relied on Kashmiris who visited during the Darbar Move. Since the government halted this tradition, not only has our revenue declined significantly, but the cultural and social connection between Jammu and Kashmir has also diminished. For the past three years, shopkeepers here have faced immense challenges as a result.”
He further explained, “The Darbar Move brought a steady stream of customers, especially during the winter months, allowing us to sustain our businesses throughout the year. Without it, markets are empty, and the economic impact is evident. We urge the new government to reinstate this tradition and revitalize Jammu’s economy.”
Another burning issue in Kashmir over the years has been unemployment and adding to that the government has declared more reservation for the scheduled tribes in the region, creating resentment from sections of the society. Riyaz, law graduate from Jamu Kashmir said,
“The general category that consists of over 75 per cent of the population of Jammu Kashmir will have a mere 35 per cent or less in access to government jobs in the region. The reduction from 40per cent to 30 per cent is outrageous, as this deducted 10 per cent makes up for thousands of candidates, and it has been slashed. Where will those 10 per cent go? Helping disadvantaged communities by punishing us (OM) is injustice.”
People have granted the National Conference a massive mandate and we want this Open category to be resolved and fight for creating employment in the region, said Mukhtar, a post graduate unemployed youth from Kulgam.
“Today’s decisive victory signals a major turning point for the regional party, reminiscent of its success in 1996 when it secured 57 seats. However, the key difference between the two elections, nearly 28 years apart, is stark: in 1996, the central government actively encouraged the JKNC’s participation and victory, but in 2024, the situation seemed almost the opposite,” Javid observed.
Javid believes that regional parties are content to stay out of the government for now. “It’s like walking on thorns—people’s expectations are extremely high, and any failure to deliver could lead to immense frustration and anger. The National Conference experienced this after its overwhelming mandate in 1996, only to see its seats cut in half, down to 28, in the 2002 assembly polls,” he explained.
In the 1977 elections, the outcome was the reverse of what transpired in 2002. After returning to power, Sheikh Abdullah implemented several key measures, including the revocation of charges against hundreds of Kashmiris who had been booked under various anti-government laws from 1953 to 1974.
“Sheikh Abdullah fought against the odds, and despite having little opportunity to deliver on significant promises after 1975, he managed to accomplish a few important things. Some of these were symbolic, but they played a crucial role in keeping the National Conference alive, even amid external pressures to align with the Congress,” Javid opined.
Abdul Rashid from Kulgam district said that many in the Quimoh belt of the district voted for the National Conference responding to its manifesto other than the personal rapport of the candidate in their area. “We hope that the NC is able to do something related to the prisoners issue. Though, we do not expect that the PSA would be revoked, but we at least expect them to undo the amendments and take it back to pre-2018 form, when prisoners under PSA were not allowed to be shifted in jails outside Jammu Kashmir,” said Rashid.
The National Conference’s electoral victory brings both opportunity and challenge, with high public expectations after years of hardship. From economic struggles to the region’s political identity post-abrogation, the new government must address critical issues to maintain public trust, feels javid.
“The record voter turnout reflects hope for change, but failure to deliver could lead to disillusionment, as seen in the past,” Javid told The Kashmiriyat. How the party handles key concerns like unemployment, electricity and political issues will shape Kashmir’s future, making the coming months crucial for lasting progress or potential disillusionment.