Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday, 2 November 2026, squarely blamed the ruling National Conference (NC) for deepening the trust deficit between the people of the Union Territory and the Centre. She made the remarks at a workers' convention held to mark the PDP's Foundation Day at the Sher-e-Kashmir Municipal Park in Srinagar.

The NC Contradiction Mufti Highlighted

Mufti took direct aim at NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah, pointing to what she described as contradictory statements made within days of each other. She noted that Abdullah had recently said Pakistan had saved Kashmiris, only to declare in Delhi on Sunday that Kashmiris would give their last drop of blood for India. Mufti argued that such flip-flopping had corroded public confidence in the region's political leadership and, by extension, in the Centre's engagement with Kashmir.

Invoking Sheikh Abdullah's Legacy

The PDP chief invoked the legacy of NC founder late Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, recalling his pivotal role in the accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India. She emphasised that Sheikh Abdullah had reposed faith in India despite the state being a Muslim-majority region, and had maintained close ties with Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Mufti alleged that the present NC leadership had buried the party's own historical demand for autonomy — a demand that Sheikh Abdullah had championed — and had thus betrayed that legacy.

Allegations Over the Militancy Era

Going further, Mufti alleged that the suffering of Kashmiris during the long years of militancy was also partly attributable to the NC. 'They (NC) used Ikhwanis (renegade militants) against people during militancy,' she said. The term 'Ikhwanis' refers to former militants who were rehabilitated and deployed by security forces as counter-insurgency auxiliaries during the 1990s — a contested chapter in Kashmir's history that continues to evoke strong sentiment. The allegation is disputed by the NC, which has historically positioned itself as a bulwark against extremism.

Concerns Over Centre's Treatment of Kashmiris

Mufti also directed pointed questions at the Centre, alleging that young people were being beaten, Kashmiri officers were being removed from service, and tribal communities were being evicted. She urged the government to initiate a genuine political dialogue with the people of Jammu & Kashmir, questioning how long the region could be governed through force alone. Referring to unspecified developments in Delhi on 10 October, she said the government should seek to understand the anger and concerns of the people rather than project peace through coercive measures.

PDP's Position and the Road Ahead

Mufti asserted that the PDP was founded to restore Jammu & Kashmir's dignity and identity, and claimed the party had never pursued a 'double agenda' — an implicit contrast with what she characterised as NC's mixed messaging. She warned that any attempt to alter the region's identity would ultimately rebound on those who sought to undermine it. The PDP chief called for a political environment grounded in trust, accountability, and respect. With the NC-led government in J&K having recently taken office, the tensions between the two major regional parties are likely to define the opposition landscape in the coming months.