“It was the Congress which arrested Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in 1953 and thus created the distrust between Kashmiris and New Delhi,” Mulayam said, addressing a gathering of about 2,000 people. “Now the party has a problem with the SP. They are not happy about us speaking for Muslims.”

Paswan claimed he would field eight candidates in the ensuing Assembly elections, saying, “ We hope to win and consolidate our party in the state.” His rally continued for almost the entire day with several leaders of the party, including the J-K vice president Sanjay Saraf, addressing the people. Tellingly, the rally was held in peace at a spot where just two years ago there was a fidayeen attack on Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s rally.

Before Paswan, BSP chief Mayawati had held a massive rally in Jammu.