Bukhari Calls PDP a ‘Unit of BJP’; Parra Hits Back, Says He Has ‘Ruined Kashmir’s Politics and Orchards’

Alfaaz – The Words Desk

Srinagar: Apni Party president and former minister Altaf Bukhari on Saturday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of acting as an extension of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), describing their political understanding as a “fixed match.”

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Bukhari said PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s politics “runs on the BJP’s script.” “The PDP is no longer an independent entity, it operates as a unit of the BJP,” he claimed, alleging that the two parties continue to coordinate their political moves.

Bukhari, who himself was a prominent member of the PDP-BJP coalition government, serving as Education Minister, took the eve to praise National Conference (NC) vice-president and incumbent Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for staying away from any BJP tie-up post election results. “Omar showed political honesty by not aligning with the BJP, despite electoral temptations,” he said, adding, “Abdullah maintained his pre-election stance.”

“In 2014, the PDP campaigned to keep the BJP out, but then went ahead and formed a government with them. We are witnessing the consequences of that decision today,” Bukhari said.

On the question of statehood and regional representation, Bukhari stressed that every region, Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir, must articulate its own aspirations. “No single region can represent the entire Union Territory. Each must speak for itself,” he said.

Soon after, PDP youth leader and Pulwama legislator Waheed u Rehman Parra hit back, saying Bukhari’s pursuit of power had “ruined Kashmir’s politics and orchards.” Parra accused the Apni Party chief of being “a yes-man of the central government” and argued that he had “no moral right to criticize the PDP, the very party that made him a minister.”

Expressing concern over developments in Leh-Ladakh, Parra urged the Centre to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-August 5, 2019 position and to safeguard the political and constitutional rights of its people. (with inputs from agencies)