SRINAGAR, May 6: Waheed Para on Wednesday intensified his criticism of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, describing the party’s reaction to last year’s Rajya Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir as “misplaced” and politically motivated.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader said the ongoing accusations against his party over the Rajya Sabha outcome were being used to divert public attention from more pressing matters, including the controversy surrounding the attachment of Siraj-ul-Uloom under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and concerns regarding the declining use of Urdu in official administration.
The National Conference has repeatedly alleged that the PDP indirectly helped the BJP secure a Rajya Sabha seat during the elections held last year. In the four-seat contest, the National Conference won three seats while the BJP captured one amid allegations of cross-voting.
In a post shared on X, Para argued that the debate was no longer about the Rajya Sabha election itself but rather an attempt to sideline serious public issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.
PDP Rejects Allegations Over Rajya Sabha Voting
Para maintained that the PDP had extended unconditional support to the National Conference despite political differences and internal friction within the opposition bloc.
He said the PDP was fully aware of dissatisfaction within the National Conference ranks during the election period but still chose to support the party in the larger interest of political unity. According to him, blaming the PDP for the loss of one Rajya Sabha seat was “factually incorrect” and politically unproductive.
The PDP leader also reminded the National Conference that it was responsible for managing the election process, including appointing polling agents for the PDP’s votes.
Questioning the NC’s allegations, Para asked how the party could distrust PDP legislators while simultaneously expecting confidence in any polling agent appointed by the PDP during the election process.
Siraj-ul-Uloom Issue Brought Into Political Debate
The controversy surrounding the Darul Uloom Jamia Siraj-ul-Uloom in Shopian also featured prominently in Para’s remarks.
Last month, authorities declared the institution an unlawful entity under the UAPA, alleging that it was being operated by individuals linked to a banned organisation.
Para accused the National Conference of ignoring such significant developments while focusing excessively on the Rajya Sabha dispute. He claimed the ruling party was deliberately avoiding difficult governance questions by reviving old political disagreements.
NC Accused Of Weakening Opposition Unity
The Pulwama MLA further alleged that the National Conference itself had weakened opposition coordination in Jammu and Kashmir.
He claimed the party played a role in dismantling the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), the alliance formed by regional parties after the abrogation of Article 370 to collectively demand restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status.
According to Para, the National Conference also sidelined the PDP during discussions related to the INDIA bloc arrangements ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
He said these actions had strained trust between regional parties and damaged efforts aimed at maintaining broader opposition unity in the Union Territory.
Mehbooba Mufti’s “Magnanimity” Highlighted
Para defended PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, saying she acted responsibly during the Rajya Sabha elections despite political differences with the National Conference.
He noted that Mufti neither abstained from the voting process nor placed conditions on her party’s support, even though such moves could have indirectly benefited the BJP.
According to Para, Mufti had only advised the National Conference leadership to secure the third Rajya Sabha seat carefully and avoid converting the uncertain fourth seat into a political blame game later.
He described the PDP’s approach as one of political maturity and accused the NC of responding negatively to that goodwill.
Remarks On Omar Abdullah And Governance
Without directly naming Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in some sections of his statement, Para suggested that the National Conference leadership should focus more on governance rather than continuing political attacks against allies.
He argued that the government should prioritise public administration, development, and delivery of promises instead of revisiting disputes over a single Rajya Sabha seat.
Para also warned that continuous attacks on the PDP could ultimately damage opposition unity and indirectly benefit the BJP’s political strategy in Jammu and Kashmir.
He claimed that if future political circumstances required cooperation between the NC and PDP again, the present rhetoric could create awkward political contradictions for the ruling party leadership.
The PDP leader concluded by expressing hope that the Jammu and Kashmir government would focus on stability, governance, and addressing public concerns during the current political phase.