Srinagar, May 22, 2026: National Conference president and veteran politician Dr. Farooq Abdullah has firmly dismissed rumors of any strain in the ruling alliance between the National Conference (NC) and Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the partnership remains intact and strong.
Speaking to reporters amid growing speculation over reported differences within the coalition government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah said, “The alliance will remain strong. There are no serious differences with our Congress partners. We are committed to working together for the development and welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Background of Speculation
The comments come in the wake of reports suggesting discontent within the Jammu and Kashmir Congress unit. Several district-level Congress leaders have reportedly urged the party high command to review or even reconsider the alliance with the National Conference, citing alleged “repeated betrayals” and violations of the coalition spirit.
Key issues reportedly fueling the speculation include delays in cabinet expansion, seat-sharing disputes, and differing priorities on governance matters. Some Congress leaders are said to have written to senior party leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, expressing concerns about the party’s relevance if the current arrangement continues unchanged.
Farooq’s Firm Stand
However, senior NC leaders, including Dr. Farooq Abdullah, have downplayed these reports. In a recent address at the party headquarters, Farooq emphasized unity and stated that minor differences are natural in any coalition but do not threaten the fundamental partnership.
“All is well within the coalition. We fought the elections together and we will govern together,” a senior NC leader echoed Farooq’s sentiments.
Political observers note that Farooq Abdullah’s statement is significant as he remains a towering figure in Kashmir politics and a key voice in maintaining opposition unity at the national level within the INDIA bloc.
Current Political Context
The NC-Congress alliance came to power after the 2024 Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. While the government has taken several populist decisions, including promises on employment and restoration of statehood, internal coordination challenges have occasionally surfaced in the public domain.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah also reiterated that both parties are committed to the larger goal of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and addressing the aspirations of the people.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Congress high command regarding any review of the alliance, and the Omar Abdullah government continues to function with the support of both parties.
