A political dynasty has shaped the governance of Jammu and Kashmir for nearly a century.

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1932, the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference has navigated the region through independence, insurgency, and constitutional upheaval. Led by three generations of the Abdullah family, the party remains a central, if controversial, force in Indian-administered Kashmir, balancing the pursuit of regional autonomy with its status within India.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) began as the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, established in Srinagar in October 1932 by Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. By June 1939, it was renamed to reflect a broader identity. Following the 1947 partition, the party became a key architect of the region's political framework, with Sheikh Abdullah serving as the state's first prime minister. His tenure ended abruptly in 1953 when he was dismissed and detained by the central government on conspiracy charges, marking the beginning of a complex, often strained relationship between the party and New Delhi.

The party's leadership has remained firmly within the Abdullah family. Sheikh Abdullah led until 1981, followed by his son, Farooq Abdullah, and grandson, Omar Abdullah. This dynastic continuity has seen the party through various electoral cycles, including a total victory in the 1951 assembly elections and significant wins in 1977 and 1996. However, the party's influence has fluctuated, notably losing power in 2002 after an administration criticized for poor delivery on electoral promises. Despite these setbacks, the JKNC has consistently advocated for autonomy, arguing that such status would solidify the bond between the territory and the Indian union.

Recent years have proved particularly turbulent. In 2019, the central government revoked the region's special status and statehood, leading to the detention of top JKNC leaders, including Farooq Abdullah. Despite these restrictions and the party's poor performance in the 2014 elections, where it secured only 15 seats, the JKNC experienced a resurgence in the October 2024 assembly elections. This victory marked the first polls in the union territory since the 2019 revocation, signaling that the party remains a resilient, if embattled, fixture in the region's political landscape.

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