‘No doubt J&K will get its statehood back’
Businessman-turnedpolitician and former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) minister Altaf Bukhari has emerged as the main leader to talk to central government representatives in Jammu and Kashmir amid the political vacuum created by the government’s incarceration of three former chief ministers since August 5, 2019. While some have called Bukhari and his associate politicians opportunists, others have adopted a wait and watch policy. In an exclusive chat with
HT’s Mir Ehsan, Bukhari talks about his
plans of a new political party, why people should move on post the revocation of Article 370 and how he is in no doubt that J&K will get back its statehood.
Do you think Kashmir will get back the status of a state?
I have no doubt on that. I’m sure J&K will be back as the state because this is the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah in Parliament. The only question is how well we can argue our case. For that the onus doesn’t lie only with me but with the entire leadership and people of J&K.
Why don’t you speak on Article 370? Instead you are demanding safeguarding domicile rights and job reservation?
When Article 370 was abrogated, I was also shocked. I don’t speak on this issue now as the matter is in the Supreme Court. Article 370 can come back only if either the Supreme Court restores it or there is a consensus among national parties on its restoration. In present circumstances, I don’t see any possibility of a political consensus among parties on this. Like everybody in Kashmir, I also pray that the Supreme Court restores it. Beyond that nobody could do anything on this issue. We have to begin from somewhere as we can’t remain in shock and sit idle. The J&K high court recently started advertising posts making everyone eligible. We came forward and got it stopped. If 40,000 jobs will be advertised tomorrow only 10,000 will come to J&K so our aim is to get it stopped so the rights of J&K people are be safeguarded like the people of other states in the country.
Before taking the initiative did you consult people, especially when most of the mainstream leaders, including three former CMs, are still behind bars?
I will be honest. I am a businessman and I know how things work. I consulted a cross-section of people and sought suggestions on how to move forward. I also discussed it across the board, including people in every mainstream party because they know me and I am on good terms with all of them. It’s not that all of them agreed with my approach but I discussed with everybody. Some leaders said they are okay with it, some said let’s wait till leaders are released. My opinion is why to wait for something which we can’t bring it back. This time, my people wanted to cry and there was no shoulder. I have just lent them a shoulder.
Do you feel scared to take this decision post revocation of Article 370?
If I would have had any fear, I would have not taken this initiative and I have nothing at stake. I took this stand because I understand my people need some sort of relief at this moment and somebody should raise their concerns. Why fear anyone? Our objective is to give relief to the people. I have no personal agenda.
Some people claim being a big businessman of J&K some hidden hands are forcing you to take this step?
That’s baseless. Why should anybody put pressure on me? It should be clear that pressure never works. I’ve not made any wrong demand which is not good for the people. People should point out if I have flagged any wrong issues. What’s misconstrued is that Altaf Bukhari or any other leader is doing this for power, which is absolutely incorrect. When the actual game for power begins, everybody will be there to grab it. This time, I only want to lessen the miseries of my people.
Are you ready to sit with leaders who are in detention?
Why not? If called, I’ll go and meet them. I’m ready and have no hesitation in meeting them. We will have to fight together; Altaf Bukhari can’t do anything alone. The only difference is that since top leaders are under detention, I have made a beginning. They may not agree with my strategy and if they have a better one, we will follow them.
People say Altaf Bukhari and other former ministers want to form a third front?
I’ll never be part of any third front. Ours will be a fullfledged political party which will have representation from the two provinces. It won’t be based on emotional slogans but the focus will be issues concerning the common people in J&K. I’m not doing it for power. Neither the Government of India nor anybody else can give power. The key of power lies with my own people.
Why are leaders from Jammu missing from your group?
It’s not true. Whenever a new party comes up, it will be a J&K-centric party with leaders from both parts. It won’t be confined to Kashmir only because today for the first time people of Jammu and Kashmir have the same agenda. People of Jammu want statehood and so do the people in Kashmir. People of Jammu want protection of domicile rights, land, jobs and so do the people in the Kashmir Valley.
Why are Congress leaders targeting you? Ghulam Nabi Azad accused you of coercing politicians to join you.
They think the place was divided among three parties who have been ruling Jammu and Kashmir for decades. The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party contested the Lok Sabha elections for safeguarding Article 370. People voted for the NC’s three MPs to save Article 370. But once Article 370 was revoked, none of the National Conferenc or PDP MPs resigned. The Congress is levelling baseless allegations. When I asked former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to prove the allegation that on my instance security is being taken or given to leaders, he failed to respond. I’m not in the government. How can I force anybody to give or withdraw security?