The Indian National Congress has played a defining role in shaping the political and constitutional journey of Jammu and Kashmir. From the early post-Independence years to periods of turbulence and transition, the party has consistently positioned itself as a force committed to democratic continuity, constitutional stability, and national integration in one of India’s most sensitive regions.

Unlike many political formations driven primarily by regional assertion or short-term electoral calculations, the Congress has often placed the larger national interest above narrow political gain. This approach has given it moral credibility even when electoral outcomes have not always been favourable.However, while the party’s historical contribution remains significant, its present organisational reality in J&K reflects a widening gap between leadership structures and ground-level workers.

The strength of the Congress has always been its cadre—workers who remain active even in politically difficult environments. In J&K, this cadre has sustained the party through challenging phases, ensuring its continued relevance despite strong competition from dominant regional forces.Today, however, there is a growing sense among workers that their contribution is not being adequately recognised within organisational functioning. Many feel that while they are expected to mobilise support during elections and maintain grassroots presence throughout the year, their role in decision-making, candidate selection, and alliance negotiations remains limited.

This disconnect between effort and recognition is steadily affecting morale at the ground level. A political organisation cannot remain strong if its workers begin to feel invisible or........

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