J&K Assembly Polls 2024: Potential 'kingmaker' PDP may demand Art 370 restoration commitment from Congress

Srinagar: As political tensions rise in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the assembly election results, speculation is growing that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) could emerge as a crucial player, potentially serving as a "kingmaker".

Political analysts believe that if the National Conference-Congress coalition requires the PDP's support to govern, Mehbooba Mufti will negotiate firmly. One potential condition she may present is a commitment to work towards the restoration of Article 370 and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

This demand could pose a dilemma for Congress, as it is unlikely to make any definitive promises regarding the restoration of Article 370.

Prior to the elections, Mehbooba had indicated that the PDP would withdraw all its candidates to support the NC-Congress alliance, provided the two parties adopted a “pro-people, pro-J&K” agenda.

“If the INDIA alliance, including Congress and NC, commits to resolving the Kashmir issue and embraces the PDP’s core agenda on Kashmir, we are willing to withdraw all candidates from the elections,” she said on August 25 while unveiling the party’s poll manifesto.

Exit polls suggest a likely hung assembly, with the NC-Congress coalition projected to secure a substantial number of seats, though they may fall short of the 46 needed to form a government in the 90-member assembly.

Meanwhile, the BJP is expected to win between 29 and 32 seats, primarily in the Jammu region, complicating its chances of forming a government. The PDP, anticipated to win around 10 seats, could be key to the NC-Congress alliance's success.