The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, and the J&K Apni Party, led by former minister Syed Altaf Bukhari, held separate protests in Srinagar on Monday, 24 August against a recent hike in electricity tariffs. The demonstrations came days after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) approved an average 6.83% increase in retail power tariffs for JPDCL and KPDCL, with revised rates set to take effect from 1 September.

How the Protests Unfolded

The PDP held its demonstration at the party's headquarters, where leaders and workers carrying banners and placards raised slogans against the National Conference (NC)-led government. Party members accused the administration of burdening ordinary consumers with higher charges and questioned the decision to raise tariffs despite electoral promises of free electricity.

At Press Enclave on Residency Road, J&K Apni Party leader Muhammad Ashraf Mir led a parallel protest. Workers carrying placards chanted slogans opposing the tariff revision, including the slogan 'Omar Teri Sarkar Mein Andhera Hi Andhera Hai' — a direct dig at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Both parties demanded that the government roll back the hike and shield consumers from additional financial strain.

What the JERC Order Means for Consumers

The JERC order sanctioned an average 6.83% upward revision in retail electricity tariffs applicable to the distribution companies JPDCL and KPDCL, which together serve consumers across Jammu & Kashmir. The revised rates are scheduled to come into force from 1 September, meaning household and commercial electricity bills will rise within days unless the government intervenes.

Critics argue the timing is particularly sensitive given that the NC had campaigned on a promise of free electricity ahead of the assembly elections — a pledge that opposition parties say has now been directly contradicted.

Dissident NC MP Threatens Lok Sabha Resignation

The sharpest rebuke came from within the ruling alliance itself. Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, a National Conference Lok Sabha member who has previously broken ranks with the party leadership, strongly criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government for what he called a betrayal of its electoral mandate.

Ruhullah told reporters he was considering resigning from the Lok Sabha, stating that he had not been able to fulfil the promises made by his party in its manifesto. His remarks signal a deepening rift within the NC at a politically delicate moment for the newly formed J&K government.

Political Context and What Comes Next

This is not the first time electricity pricing has triggered political turbulence in Jammu & Kashmir. Power subsidies and tariff structures have historically been a flashpoint in the region, where supply reliability remains a persistent concern. The fact that opposition from within the NC itself is now visible — with a sitting MP threatening resignation — adds unusual pressure on the Abdullah government.

Both the PDP and the Apni Party are expected to escalate their agitation if the government does not respond before the 1 September implementation date. All eyes are now on whether Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will order a review of the JERC decision or allow the revised tariffs to take effect as scheduled.