New Dawn in Kashmir Politics: 'Peoples Alliance for Change' Develops Promise of Unity, Transparency, and Youth Empowerment

In a dramatic shift of Kashmiri politics, three regional parties—the Peoples Conference (PC) of Sajad Gani Lone, the Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) of Hakim Mohammad Yasin, and the Justice & Development Front (JDF), a splinter group of ex-Jamaat-e-Islami members—have joined hands to create the 'Peoples Alliance for Change' (PAC). The partnership was announced at a press meet in Srinagar, where leaders signaled that they wished to create an alternative to the region's long-standing political establishment.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Restoration Agenda: The party manifesto vows to restore Article 370, Article 35A, and restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, with a commitment to seek all political ways to restore these.

 

Political Solidarity: Leaders stressed the necessity for a common political vocabulary and solidarity of those who have "endured pain" and a commitment to exclude those who have "inflicted it." The consolidation necessitated the departure of Kashmiri leaders from the double narrative of Delhi vs. Srinagar.

 

Youth and Inclusion: The PAC sought to make the youth real decision-makers rather than vote banks and demanded a large-scale amnesty for political detainees and victims of conflict cycles.

 

Criticism of Reservation System: The alliance criticized the current reservation system in the Union Territory as discriminatory, particularly against the Kashmiris, and stressed the need for equal access to rights and opportunities.

 

Challenge to Status Quo: Even though the constituent parties have varying strengths in elections, their alliance is considered a challenge to National Conference government, especially in key constituencies like Kupwara and Budgam. Next Steps: The PAC will approach other parties of a similar nature and will soon be announcing its organizational structure.

 

Whether or not this new alliance can rally popular good will and redefine Kashmir's political future is to be seen, but its beginning is a step towards a new political culture of unity, integrity, and development.

 

Source: The New Indian Express, Free Press Journal, Indian Express