Apni Party chief reignites political firestorm, accusing National Conference and PDP of complicity during Article 370 abrogation and failures in governance.
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 11 July 2025
The political pot in Jammu & Kashmir continues to boil as Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari launched a blistering critique of the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during a public rally in Awantipora. His remarks, centered on the abrogation of Article 370, tore into what he described as political duplicity, inaction, and opportunism.
What Altaf Bukhari Said
Speaking before a large gathering, Bukhari questioned the silence of NC and PDP leaders during the 2019 revocation of Articles 370 and 35A, which stripped J&K of its semi-autonomous status.
“Where were NC’s three Lok Sabha MPs and PDP’s two Rajya Sabha members when Kashmir needed them? Why didn’t they resign? Why didn’t they raise their voices in Parliament?”
He accused the parties of dramatic outrage without substantive action, saying:
“They tore their shirts in protest but quietly accepted the decision that changed our destiny.”
Scathing Remarks on Mehbooba Mufti and PDP
Bukhari didn’t spare Mehbooba Mufti, criticizing her for allying with the BJP after campaigning against them in the 2014 elections.
“You preached against BJP in rallies but later formed a government with them. What happened to your promises then?”
He also blamed the PDP for the 2016 civilian killings, calling it a catastrophic administrative failure.
Further intensifying his attack, Bukhari accused Waheed Parra, PDP’s current Lok Sabha candidate, of involvement in job recruitment scams, questioning the party’s moral right to seek public trust.
Legitimacy and Accountability
Bukhari argued that both NC and PDP have lost the moral legitimacy to seek votes, stating that their parliamentary performance was negligible and that they failed to protect the constitutional and cultural identity of Jammu & Kashmir.
“They betrayed the people in their hour of need. It’s time to reject these dynasties and support genuine change.”
He appealed to voters to break away from “family-driven politics” and embrace leadership based on accountability, performance, and public service.
Religious Organizations and Social Reform
Without explicitly naming Jamaat-e-Islami, Bukhari called for the lifting of bans on religious organizations, asserting that faith-based groups can play a crucial role in curbing social evils, particularly the growing menace of drug addiction among youth.
“We need religious scholars and community leaders to be partners in social reform—not to be silenced or pushed underground.”
This remark is seen as a strategic appeal to conservative and religious constituencies, amid ongoing debates about civil liberties and religious freedoms in the region.
Context: The Legacy of Article 370
- On August 5, 2019, the Indian government abrogated Articles 370 and 35A, revoking J&K’s special status.
- Since then, the political landscape has undergone a tectonic shift, with the emergence of new players like Apni Party and the diminishing influence of traditional giants.
- NC and PDP, once the dominant voices in Kashmiri politics, have faced accusations of ineffectiveness, opportunism, and loss of popular trust.
Political Analysts React
Dr. Aamir Hussain, political analyst:
“Bukhari is trying to frame himself as the voice of accountability. Whether voters buy it depends on how deeply they feel betrayed by NC and PDP.”
Prof. Ayesha Qadri, sociologist:
“The call to reintegrate religious institutions is a significant pivot. It blends political pragmatism with cultural appeal.”
Summary
- Altaf Bukhari accuses NC and PDP of inaction during Article 370 abrogation
- Blames PDP for 2016 unrest and criticizes Mehbooba Mufti’s alliance with BJP
- Accuses PDP candidate Waheed Parra of involvement in job scams
- Calls for lifting of bans on religious groups to aid in social reform
- Urges voters to reject dynasty politics and embrace new leadership models
