Altaf Bukhari slams National Conference, PDP over 'silence' on Article 370

Srinagar, Jul 10: Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari on Thursday strongly criticised the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other mainstream political parties for what he termed as their inaction and silence during the critical period surrounding the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35(A) in August 2019.

Speaking at a party convention here, Bukhari accused the regional parties of betraying the people of Jammu and Kashmir by failing to protect J&K’s special status, which was revoked by the Indian government. “Removing Articles 370 and 35(A) was one of the biggest betrayals by India, and we were deceived. Our own leaders, who were in power for decades, did nothing to make the provisions permanent,” Bukhari said.

Highlighting his party’s role, Bukhari said Apni Party did not enter politics to gain power but to safeguard the interests of the people. “After the removal of 370 and 35(A), anyone could have purchased land here and taken jobs. But we stood firm—we did not come out to grab power,” he stated.

Bukhari also criticized NC and PDP for not raising their voice when thousands were arrested in the days leading up to the abrogation. “They didn’t even come out to get 4,000 people released who were imprisoned two days before Article 370 was removed,” he said.

He further praised the people of Jammu and Kashmir for showing restraint and maturity during the politically sensitive period. “These leaders expected bloodshed. They thought they would build political castles on the bodies of thousands who would protest. But our people showed resilience and wisdom,” Bukhari said. The Apni Party leader’s comments come at a time when political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir is heating up ahead of the anticipated assembly elections. His remarks reflect the continuing debate over the region’s political future and the legacy of Article 370.

Expressing regret for his role post-election, he said he was ashamed of being a former MLA, hinting at a larger disillusionment with the political process. He criticized the ruling party for securing only a fraction of the total vote while allegedly occupying institutions like panchayats and municipalities through undemocratic means.

He accused the administration of selective and minimal development—such as repairing just one lane in Srinagar while ignoring others—describing these efforts as superficial precautionary measures. He warned of launching protests if such selective governance continues, suggesting a staged response beginning with Gehraab (encirclement protest).