In 1974 Indira Gandhi reached an agreement with Sheikh Abdullah and he became the Chief Minister of the State. He revived the National Conference which was elected with majority in the assembly elections held in 1977. Sheikh Abdullah died in 1982 and the leadership of the National Conference went to his son, Farooq Abdullah, who became the Chief Minister. But he soon was dismissed by the Governor and a breakaway faction of the National Conference came to power for a brief period. The dismissal of Farooq Abdullah’s government due to the intervention of the Centre generated a feeling of resentment in Kashmir. The confidence that Kashmiris had developed in the democratic processes after the accord between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah, received a setback. The feeling that the Centre was intervening in politics of the State was further strengthened when the National Conference in 1986 agreed to have an electoral alliance with the Congress, the ruling party in the Centre.

What did the National Conference demand after coming to power in the 1996 Assembly elections?

Regional autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir

After the 1996 Assembly elections, the National Conference led by Farooq Abdullah came to power with a demand for regional autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir.

The assembly election of 1987 unfolded amusing results. Official results showcased a significant triumph for the National Conference-Congress alliance, reinstating Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister. Yet, widespread belief persisted that the election outcomes did not truly reflect the people's choice, alleging the election process to be riddled with manipulation. Simultaneously, growing public resentment against ineffective governance since the early 1980s coupled with the perception that democratic processes were eroding under state and central influences led to a burgeoning political crisis in Kashmir. This crisis escalated considerably with the ascent of insurgency.

By 1989, the State was ensnared in a militant movement rallying behind the cause of an autonomous Kashmiri entity. These insurgents garnered support from Pakistan in moral, material, and military dimensions. For several years, the State came under the purview of President's rule and was largely controlled by the armed forces. Throughout the span starting from 1990, Jammu and Kashmir endured significant violence initiated both by the insurgents and through military actions. Notably, Assembly elections in the State were only held in 1996, wherein Farooq Abdullah's National Conference claimed power, advocating for regional autonomy. As this term concluded, State elections were conducted in 2002. The National Conference's majority loss led to the formation of a coalition government comprising the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress.