Srinagar, August 1, 2025 : After a dismal showing in the last Assembly polls—winning just three seats—the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is attempting a comeback in Jammu and Kashmir, banking on grassroots revival, returning leaders, and mounting anti-incumbency against the ruling National Conference (NC).
The PDP marked its 26th Foundation Day this week with a massive rally in Srinagar, where party president Mehbooba Mufti addressed workers in a fiery speech. “In times of shifting lines, PDP holds its ground,” the party posted on X, reinforcing its commitment to dialogue and dignity for J&K.
Once a dominant force, the PDP has steadily declined since its peak in 2014, when it won 28 seats—up from 21 in 2008 and 16 in 2002. Its lowest-ever tally last year followed the fallout of Article 370’s abrogation in 2019, which led to an exodus of key leaders.
Now, some of those leaders are returning—among them former MLC Yasir Reshi and ex-MLAs Aijaz Mir, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, and Mansoor Hussain Suharwardy. Their comeback has sparked cautious optimism within party ranks.
“We’re rebuilding from the ground up—restructuring the party, expanding membership, and reconnecting with people, especially in our traditional strongholds in south Kashmir,” a senior PDP leader said.
In a move to broaden its appeal beyond Kashmir, the party recently named Advocate Aditya Gupta as youth wing president—its latest step toward gaining traction in Jammu.
Calling the Foundation Day event a “turning point,” PDP leader Zuhaib Yousf Mir said the current mood favors change. “If we maintain this momentum, the PDP can emerge as a credible alternative,” he said, while accusing the NC-led government of betraying public trust.
“Restoring Article 370 and creating one lakh jobs were lofty promises they knew they couldn’t fulfill. Now, after just nine months in power, disillusionment is everywhere,” Mir added.
Political observers echo the sentiment. “The NC-led government is handicapped by the Union Territory’s limited autonomy. It can’t deliver on major promises, creating a vacuum the PDP is trying to occupy,” said Professor Noor Baba, a political analyst in Srinagar.
Mir believes returning leaders will add weight to the party’s image. “Their credibility—honed inside and outside the party—could be key in winning back public trust.”
Whether these efforts translate into electoral gains remains uncertain. But insiders agree: PDP’s future hinges on its ability to reconnect with voters and evolve organizationally to meet today’s political challenges.
