Altaf Bukhari Criticizes Congress Over Article 370, Demands Elections and Statehood in Jammu & Kashmir
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 24 July 2025
A New Voice in J&K’s Statehood Discourse
With the demand for Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood growing louder, a new political salvo has been fired—this time not by the National Conference or Congress, but by Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari.
Speaking during a provincial party meeting in Jammu, Bukhari launched a sharp critique of the ruling government, accusing it of ineffective governance, broken promises, and a deliberate denial of grassroots democracy. But his most pointed criticism was reserved for the Congress Party, which he blamed for “facilitating the constitutional disempowerment” of J&K in 2019.
In his passionate address, Bukhari didn’t mince words—calling out the hypocrisy in statehood narratives, questioning stalled elections, and reaffirming his party’s commitment to land rights, jobs, and justice.
Bukhari’s Key Allegations: A Dismantling of Political Narratives
01. False Promises by the Ruling Parties
Bukhari took aim at both the J&K ruling alliance (led by NC) and Congress, accusing them of misleading the public during elections. He highlighted unfulfilled promises such as:
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Restoration of Article 370
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Two lakh government jobs
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Free electricity and gas cylinders
“This government came to power promising miracles, but has failed to deliver even the basics,”
— Altaf Bukhari, Apni Party President
He argued that these were used as emotional lures during the 2025 elections, but have since been silently abandoned.
02. Congress’ Alleged Complicity in 2019 Decisions
Perhaps the most explosive claim came when Bukhari directly accused the Congress of being partly responsible for the revocation of Article 370, the bifurcation of the state, and the creation of Union Territories on August 5, 2019.
“Congress had the power to stop the bifurcation in the Rajya Sabha—but chose not to. Now they demand statehood like they weren’t part of the problem,”
— Bukhari
This statement challenges the moral high ground Congress has recently taken, particularly with protests demanding full statehood restoration.
Political Hypocrisy or Missed Opportunity?
Bukhari’s remarks force a re-examination of the historical timeline:
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In 2019, when the BJP-led Centre abrogated Article 370, the Congress was divided and weakened in Parliament, yet held significant numbers in the Rajya Sabha.
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While it opposed the move publicly, it did not mount a coordinated legislative challenge or attempt to block the bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories.
Bukhari argues that this lack of resistance, whether due to political calculation or internal confusion, amounts to “complicity by silence.”
Call for Grassroots Democracy: Panchayat and ULB Polls Urged
Another crucial demand in Bukhari’s address was the immediate conduct of Urban Local Body (ULB) and Panchayat elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Why is the government afraid of giving power to the people? Elections at the grassroots level are essential for any democracy,”
— Bukhari
These elections, originally promised by the Centre as a tool for deepening democratic roots post-Article 370 abrogation, have not been held since 2018. Critics say that governance today is top-heavy, concentrated in bureaucracy, and unresponsive to village-level and urban local needs.
This demand appeals to:
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Youth leaders
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Local sarpanches and municipal workers
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Civil society groups frustrated with the centralised control under the UT model
Apni Party’s Stand: Jobs, Land Rights, and Statehood
Bukhari used the platform to reiterate Apni Party’s political vision, especially for the youth and marginalized groups:
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Jobs for locals: Secure government and private-sector employment quotas.
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Land rights: Safeguards to prevent outsiders from owning land in J&K.
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Statehood restoration: A constitutional demand, not an emotional slogan.
“We are not playing politics. We’re asking for what’s constitutionally ours—our land, our jobs, and our state,”
— Bukhari
This pitch positions Apni Party as a regional alternative to both national parties and entrenched dynasties. Their target demographic includes:
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Educated but unemployed youth
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Small business owners
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Local government workers
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Kashmiri Pandit returnees
Outreach to Kashmiri Pandits: Acknowledgment & Assurance
In a significant gesture, Bukhari addressed the long-standing issue of Kashmiri Pandit displacement, stating:
“We acknowledge the suffering and exile of Kashmiri Pandits. We support any initiative that facilitates their safe and dignified return.”
This outreach is notable given that most political parties in J&K treat the Pandit issue as peripheral. Apni Party seems to be expanding its voter base by addressing forgotten constituencies and making inclusive overtures.
Reactions and Implications: New Realignment Ahead?
Bukhari’s speech signals a political re-alignment in the making.
01. Pressure on NC-Congress Coalition
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Their conflicting strategies on statehood restoration are already under scrutiny.
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Now, an assertive Apni Party questions their historical role and present silence.
02. Repositioning of Apni Party
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Once seen as soft on BJP, Bukhari is now clearly distancing himself from all major camps.
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This neutral yet vocal position gives Apni Party room to grow as a centrist regional force.
03. Public Reception
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Initial response to Bukhari’s speech from local youth and journalists has been cautiously positive.
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However, his past closeness with the BJP may still haunt his credibility, unless backed by action.
Editorial Insight: Will Apni Party Fill the Vacuum?
With the traditional parties either in power or protesting, Altaf Bukhari seems to be staking claim to the political middle ground.
He’s not calling for confrontation, but for:
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Accountability
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Grassroots empowerment
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Constitutional correction
If Apni Party follows through with on-ground mobilization, outreach to marginal communities, and participation in legal or parliamentary statehood debates, it could become a balancing force in the region’s fragile political landscape.
Bottom-Line: Accountability Must Precede Advocacy
Syed Altaf Bukhari’s statements are more than just political barbs—they’re a call to re-examine who truly stood where in 2019, and who is now posturing for electoral gains.
As J&K waits for statehood, local elections, and policy stability, voters will demand more than slogans—they’ll demand accountability.
And in this new chapter of Kashmir’s political evolution, those who face the people with facts, not fantasies, will write the next script.
