In a fiery public rally at Goripora, Awantipora village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for their conspicuous silence on the abrogation of Article 370.
Bukhari minced no words as he questioned the absence of voices from the NC camp, despite having three members in the Lok Sabha when the historic decision to revoke Article 370 and 35-A was made. “Did they speak up? Did they resign in protest?” he challenged the opposition parties, highlighting their apparent lack of action and advocacy for the people of Jammu and Kashmir during a critical juncture in the region’s history.
The JKAP leader reserved special criticism for the PDP’s Lok Sabha candidate for Srinagar, Waheed Parra, accusing him of involvement in scandals related to job scams and questioning his suitability for representing the people. Bukhari’s remarks underscored a broader sentiment of disillusionment with traditional political figures and their alleged failure to address the pressing issues facing the region.
Drawing attention to former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bukhari condemned her political flip-flop, accusing her of betraying the trust of voters who had placed their faith in her party to resist the BJP’s influence. He highlighted the irony of Mufti’s current rhetoric about fighting for the dignity of the people, contrasting it with her previous actions in forming a coalition government with the BJP.
The JKAP President didn’t shy away from criticizing Mufti’s controversial remarks, including her infamous “toffee” comment, and questioned her track record as a parliamentarian, suggesting that her tenure was marked by a lack of substantial contributions to public discourse.
In a veiled reference to the Jamaat-e-Islamia, Bukhari hinted at the PDP’s alleged association with religious organizations and accused them of exploiting such ties for political gain. He reiterated calls for lifting bans on religious organizations, signaling a departure from the divisive politics of the past.
Amidst the political jousting, Bukhari emphasized the need for change and urged voters to use the upcoming parliamentary elections as a platform for ushering in a new era of governance. He highlighted key issues such as the regularization of daily wagers, indicating a shift towards addressing grassroots concerns and advocating for tangible reforms.
As tensions simmer and political rivalries intensify, Bukhari’s rallying cry resonates with a population eager for meaningful change and accountability from their elected representatives. The Pulwama rally serves as a stark reminder of the power of public discourse in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
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