Less than four months after its much-publicized creation, the People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) in Jammu and Kashmir has hit an unexpected setback. The Justice and Development Front (JDF) — a political outfit backed by Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) — officially announced its exit from the coalition on Friday, citing differences over the alliance’s “modus operandi.”
The PAC, launched earlier this year, was a collaboration between Sajjad Lone’s Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference (PC), the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), and the Justice and Development Front (JDF). The alliance had promised a new political alternative in a region long dominated by a few established parties.
In a carefully worded statement, JDF declared, “With great mutual respect, the Justice and Development Front has decided to part ways with the People’s Alliance for Change. While we valued our collaboration with the People’s Conference and People’s Democratic Front, we believe that an independent course better aligns with our vision, values, and principles.”
The statement emphasized that JDF had always voiced differing opinions within the alliance in a democratic spirit, but after deep reflection, the party concluded that independence would allow it to pursue its mission more effectively.
While JDF refrained from revealing specific reasons for the split, insiders suggest that the main friction stemmed from upcoming bypolls in the Budgam assembly constituency, scheduled for November. Sources claim that JDF wanted to field its own candidate, but the PAC leadership favored Hakeem Yaseen as a joint nominee — a move that reportedly didn’t sit well with the JDF cadre.
Political observers believe JDF’s exit could significantly impact PAC’s performance in Budgam, as former Jamaat networks hold considerable sway in the region. What once appeared to be a fresh and promising political experiment now faces uncertainty and fragmentation.
At its core, this development reflects a broader truth about Kashmir’s political landscape — alliances built on ambition often falter without a shared vision. In the end, the people of Jammu and Kashmir yearn not for shifting alliances but for leadership rooted in trust, clarity, and genuine change.
