Jammu and Kashmir’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday visited the Legislative Assembly after more than seven years since the fractured alliance broke in 2018, setting the way for the revocation of Article 370 and 35A in 2019.
She was the last Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, after which the history and political landscape of the region changed forever. On Monday she entered the premises after a long wait and was seen sitting in the Speaker’s gallery during the proceedings of the House.
While many in the well were surprised to see her present in the House, members of her own party welcomed their leader, while other legislators also welcomed her presence in a show of a welcoming gesture as she remains a major political figure in Jammu and Kashmir’s politics.
Her presence in the Assembly was widely acknowledged by the members of the House as it marked her return to the House complex after the massive political changes that swept across the erstwhile state in 2018.
By going into an alliance with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party back in 2014, Mehbooba Mufti’s party reputation has nosedived ever since, which was also reflected in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and Assembly polls.
PDP, which emerged as the single largest party in the 2014 elections, is now struggling to find its place in the Valley’s politics, though the recent by-elections in Budgam have shown some improvement after PDP defeated the National Conference (NC) in its bastion with a strong showing.
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