Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Katra, criticized the Congress-National Conference alliance, claiming that Pakistan is celebrating their manifesto ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Modi pointed to a statement from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who mentioned that both Pakistan and the Congress-National Conference alliance shared a similar stance on restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi remarked, "The Congress-National Conference alliance is getting applause from Pakistan. Their manifesto is being openly supported by Pakistan," suggesting that the alliance's agenda aligns with Pakistan’s interests.

PM Modi further stated that while the alliance is not receiving much attention domestically, they are being "celebrated" across the border in Pakistan. He referred to the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, by his government, which ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and split the state into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Although the National Conference is pushing for the restoration of Article 370, the Congress has remained silent on the issue in their manifesto. However, Congress has committed to the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's full statehood.