Mehbooba Mufti to attend INDIA Bloc meeting in Delhi on June 8
Synopsis
Both major Jammu & Kashmir parties — the PDP and NC, rivals at home — are set to attend the INDIA Bloc's June 8 meeting in Delhi, underscoring how national opposition strategy is overriding regional fault lines. With 35 parties in the fold and a 234-seat 2024 tally behind it, the alliance is signalling that Kashmir's political voices remain firmly in the anti-NDA camp.
Key Takeaways
Mehbooba Mufti , PDP president and former J&K Chief Minister, confirmed attendance at the INDIA Bloc meeting in New Delhi on 8 June .
Former CM Farooq Abdullah said either he or son Omar Abdullah would represent the National Conference (NC) at the same meeting.
Both NC and PDP are among the 35 parties in the INDIA Bloc.
The INDIA Bloc won 234 seats in the 2024 general elections , gaining over 100 seats from its pre-dissolution size.
The bloc's first joint event was held on 22 December 2023 ; its first joint rally on 3 March 2024 in Patna.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti confirmed on Saturday, 6 June that she will attend the INDIA Bloc meeting scheduled in New Delhi on 8 June. The announcement signals continued engagement from Kashmiri regional parties with the national opposition alliance ahead of what is expected to be a significant strategic huddle.
Kashmir Parties Confirm Presence
Mehbooba's confirmation comes alongside a similar signal from the National Conference (NC) camp. Former Chief Minister and NC president Farooq Abdullah earlier indicated that either he or his son, Omar Abdullah, would represent the party at the 8 June meeting. Both NC and PDP are among the 35 political parties that make up the INDIA Bloc, underlining the alliance's broad geographic reach across India.
What the INDIA Bloc Is
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is a multi-party opposition coalition led by the Indian National Congress (INC). It was formed as a direct counter to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In the 2024 general elections, the alliance secured 234 seats — a gain of more than 100 seats compared to its pre-dissolution strength — and won a majority of seats in states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab.
Alliance's Track Record of Joint Action
The bloc held its first joint event on 22 December 2023, when nationwide protests were launched against the suspension of opposition MPs in Parliament. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, NCP president Sharad Pawar, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, and other senior figures gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi under the banners 'Save Democracy' and 'Save Constitution'.
The alliance's first joint rally followed on 3 March 2024 in Patna, Bihar, drawing Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, and Left leaders alongside Kharge and Gandhi. At the rally, Kharge attacked Nitish Kumar for frequently changing political alliances and criticised the BJP for allegedly failing on job creation.
What the June 8 Meeting Signals
The participation of both major Jammu & Kashmir parties — NC and PDP, who are rivals at the regional level — in a common national platform reflects the INDIA Bloc's strategy of setting aside local competition to present a united front against the NDA. The 8 June meeting is expected to shape the alliance's near-term political agenda. All eyes will be on whether the gathering produces a concrete action plan or remains largely symbolic.
Point of View
The bloc needs to demonstrate that it is a governing alternative, not merely a protest coalition. Kashmir's political representation in Delhi is symbolically important, but it will count for little if the meeting ends without a defined agenda.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Mehbooba Mufti attend the INDIA Bloc meeting on June 8?
Yes. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti confirmed on 6 June that she will attend the INDIA Bloc meeting in New Delhi on 8 June. Her attendance marks continued PDP engagement with the national opposition alliance.
Who from the National Conference will attend the June 8 INDIA Bloc meeting?
NC president Farooq Abdullah said either he or his son Omar Abdullah would attend the meeting. The party, like the PDP, is one of 35 members of the INDIA Bloc.
What is the INDIA Bloc?
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) is a multi-party opposition coalition led by the Indian National Congress, formed to counter the ruling BJP-led NDA government. It won 234 seats in the 2024 general elections across 35 member parties.
How has the INDIA Bloc performed electorally?
In the 2024 general elections, the INDIA Bloc won 234 seats — more than 100 seats above its pre-dissolution size — and secured majorities in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Punjab.
What joint actions has the INDIA Bloc taken so far?
The bloc held its first joint event on 22 December 2023, with protests at Jantar Mantar against the suspension of opposition MPs. Its first joint rally was held on 3 March 2024 in Patna, Bihar, featuring leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Lalu Prasad Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav.
