Kashmir’s political experiments fade, dynasties remain central as next gen steps in

Srinagar: Nearly one and a half years after the October 2024 Assembly elections, Jammu and Kashmir’s politics continues to revolve around familiar names — the Abdullahs and the Muftis.

Attempts in recent years to create alternative political formations, including parties led by Ghulam Nabi Azad and Altaf Bukhari, have struggled to gain significant traction in the Kashmir Valley after the polls.

As a result, the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party remain central to Kashmir’s political landscape.

At the same time, a slow and seamless generational transition is underway within these parties. The next generation of leaders is becoming increasingly visible in organisational work and political outreach, suggesting that dynastic politics in Kashmir is evolving rather than receding.

Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly criticised the Abdullah and Mufti families in public speeches, accusing them of presiding over decades of dynastic rule, corruption and political misgovernance in the region.

Shah, in particular, argued during election campaigns that the politics of these parties had allowed terrorism and instability to flourish in Kashmir.

That national political narrative, however, has coexisted with a different reality on the ground.

The October 2024 elections, the first Assembly polls after abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the former state, reaffirmed the continued relevance of the Valley’s established parties. The NC emerged as the single largest party with a strong showing across Kashmir, while the BJP consolidated its position largely in the Hindu dominated Jammu region.

Yet what is unfolding now is less about past rivalries and more about the next phase of leadership within these parties.

Within the NC, Omar Abdullah’s sons have increasingly been seen participating in party meetings, outreach programmes and internal discussions.

In the PDP, Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti has taken on a more visible political role, addressing rallies, engaging with supporters and shaping the party’s messaging.

Political observers describe this as a gradual grooming process rather than a sudden handover.

“Transitions in Kashmir’s mainstream parties have historically been incremental,” said Prof Gul Mohammad Wani, former Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Kashmir. “What we are seeing is a slow integration of the next generation into party structures while the senior leadership continues to anchor the organisations.”

The dominance of these parties also reflects the limited emergence of alternative political leadership in the Valley. Since 2002, the NC and PDP have largely alternated in power, each forming government twice if the six-year period of central rule between 2018 and 2024 is excluded.

“Despite attempts by new parties to enter the space, the organisational depth of the NC and PDP remains unmatched in Kashmir,” Prof. Wani said. “Their grassroots networks, cadre base and legacy continue to give them an advantage.”

For national observers, the developments highlight a broader feature of Indian politics: dynastic parties often adapt rather than disappear.

In Kashmir, that adaptation is unfolding quietly. The older generation still leads, but the younger one is steadily learning the mechanics of politics — building networks, engaging with voters and shaping party narratives.

If this trend continues, the coming decade could see a smoother generational shift rather than a dramatic political rupture in the Valley’s mainstream politics.