Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has offered a fresh perspective on her party's controversial political partnership with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She asserts that the alliance, often criticized, was fundamentally driven by the interests of the region and its people.
A Partnership Misunderstood
In a recent statement, Mehbooba Mufti addressed the long-standing scrutiny surrounding the coalition government formed between her party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), and the BJP. She emphasized that the primary motivation behind this unlikely political union was the welfare and stability of Jammu and Kashmir. The alliance, which lasted from 2015 to 2018, was a subject of intense debate, with many viewing it as an ideological compromise.
Mufti argued that the decision was strategic and taken with the complex socio-political landscape of the state in mind. She suggested that the collaboration was an attempt to bridge the gap between New Delhi and Srinagar and to foster development during a turbulent period.
Concerns Over Freedom and Tolerance
Beyond defending the past alliance, Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grave concerns about the current environment in the country. She pointedly remarked that the space for free and open dialogue in Kashmir has significantly shrunk. According to her, residents of the valley feel increasingly constrained in expressing their views without fear.
Furthermore, she extended her critique to a national level, observing a worrying trend. "Intolerance in the country is on the rise," Mufti stated, highlighting a growing atmosphere where dissenting voices and diverse opinions face pressure. These comments, made on 21 December 2025, add to the ongoing discourse about civil liberties and political expression in India.
Political Repercussions and Legacy
The PDP-BJP alliance, formed after a fractured mandate in the 2014 assembly elections, was always a fragile arrangement. Its collapse in June 2018 led to President's Rule in the state, which was later followed by the historic revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. Mehbooba Mufti's latest explanation is an effort to reframe the narrative around that pivotal chapter in Jammu and Kashmir's history.
Her statements serve multiple purposes:
- Clarifying Historical Stance: To justify a key political decision to her support base and the public.
- Highlighting Contemporary Issues: To draw attention to what she perceives as erosion of democratic freedoms.
- Setting the Political Agenda: To reaffirm her party's position as a vocal stakeholder in J&K's future amidst continued political transformation.
While the defense of the alliance aims to counter past criticism, her remarks on intolerance and freedom of speech place her firmly within the current opposition's critique of the central government's policies. The interplay of explaining past actions while challenging present circumstances defines the complex political trajectory of Mehbooba Mufti and the PDP.
