New Delhi: The INDIA opposition bloc faces a potential setback as the People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, announces its intention to contest the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha election independently.
The PDP's parliamentary board is set to finalise candidates for the union territory's six Lok Sabha seats, which are currently divided between the BJP and the National Conference, led by another former Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah.
Suhail Bukhari of the PDP stated, "Since they (the National Conference) have already taken a decision... we will discuss it. There will be deliberations, and a future course of action will be decided (soon)." Last week, Farooq Abdullah had declared that the National Conference would contest the Lok Sabha election independently.
This development adds to the challenges facing the INDIA opposition bloc, which is already grappling with internal dissent after being deserted by key figures like Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, and the Aam Aadmi Party. The Samajwadi Party, led by Akhilesh Yadav, has also issued an ultimatum, adding to the strain on the alliance.
In Uttar Pradesh, there is an anticipated loss of Jayant Chaudhary's Rashtriya Lok Dal to the BJP, despite a previously agreed-upon deal with the Samajwadi Party. Farooq Abdullah's surprising statement has prompted speculation, as he was previously seen as a staunch supporter attending all meetings.
While Farooq Abdullah's son clarified that the National Conference remains committed to the INDIA alliance and is in talks with the Congress for three out of six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the situation remains fluid. The BJP seized the opportunity to criticise its rivals, with spokesperson RS Pathania describing the alliance as a "ragtag conglomerate" with minimal convergence on key issues.
The PDP's decision to pursue an independent path comes shortly after Farooq Abdullah's assertion that his party, while staying within the INDIA alliance, would contest elections independently based on an internal assessment indicating the potential to win at least three seats on its own.
The National Conference appears reluctant to cede seats amid concerns over a lack of consensus within the alliance on seat-sharing agreements.