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 happened to the National Conference after Sheikh Abdullah's return to power after detention in 1953?

It experienced a resurgence and won the 1977 assembly elections

The National Conference was revived under Sheikh Abdullah's leadership and won the 1977 assembly elections.

In 1974, an agreement was brokered between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah, leading to Sheikh Abdullah assuming the role of Chief Minister of the State. Under his leadership, the National Conference was rejuvenated and secured a majority in the 1977 assembly elections. However, Sheikh Abdullah's passing in 1982 led to his son, Farooq Abdullah, inheriting the National Conference's leadership and becoming the Chief Minister. Yet, his governance was short-lived, as the Governor dismissed his administration, permitting a breakaway faction of the National Conference to briefly seize power.

The termination of Farooq Abdullah's government due to Centre's intervention created a sense of discontent in Kashmir. The accord between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah had initially fostered confidence in democratic processes, but this confidence was marred. The perception of Centre's intrusion in the state's politics was accentuated when the National Conference formed an electoral alliance with the Congress, the ruling party at the Centre, in 1986.