Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) for their impressive performance in the 2024 J&K Assembly elections. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Modi commended the National Conference for their “commendable performance,” marking a significant moment in the region’s political landscape. According to the latest Election Commission of India trends, the National Conference, in alliance with the Congress, has crossed the majority mark and is set to form the government with 49 out of 90 seats. This includes 42 seats for the National Conference, 6 for the Congress, and 1 for CPI(M).
Modi also acknowledged the efforts of the BJP, which secured 29 seats, saying he was “proud” of the party’s performance and appreciated the hard work of its Karyakartas (party workers). He assured the people of J&K that the BJP would continue working for the welfare of the Union Territory. Despite the BJP falling short of a majority, Modi expressed gratitude to the voters for their trust in the party.
The elections in Jammu and Kashmir were historic, being the first since the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35(A) in 2019, which had previously granted the region special status. Modi highlighted the significance of the high voter turnout, describing it as a reaffirmation of the people’s belief in democracy. This election also saw a surprise entry from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won its first-ever seat in the region in the Doda constituency.
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Modi’s message came after a vigorous campaign in which he criticized the so-called “three dynasties” that had long dominated Jammu and Kashmir politics—the Congress, National Conference, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He accused these families of fostering corruption and creating an environment that nurtured terrorism in the region. Despite the fierce rhetoric, Modi’s congratulatory message to the JKNC demonstrates a shift towards acknowledging the election results and the importance of regional stability(