Srinagar, Mar 16: A major political storm has hit Jammu and Kashmir after Apni Party president Syed Altaf Bukhari alleged that the mainstream leaders “chose to remain behind bars” because they could not face people post abrogation of article 370.
Bukhari in an interview alleged that the mainstream leaders had willfully chosen to remain behind bars and not challenge their detention
“They were fortunate for being detained in house or hostel. Had they not got these facilities, people would have not let them live. They were answerable to the public,” he said.
Bukhari diatribe evoked a sharp reaction from National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Even he (Altaf Bukhari) and his other colleagues said they were detained after August 5. First, he has to explain his own detention before making this statement. Leaders across the political spectrum, be it PDP or PC, were detained,” he said.
Masoodi trashed Bukhari’s allegation saying detention means detention no matter whatever facilities you are given. “They (detained leaders) had no access to medical facilities. They were shifted to hospitals for treatment,” he said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson Firdous Ahmad Tak said Bukhari should worry about his own party. “Rather than thinking about others, he (Bukhari) should worry about Apni (Apni Party) and Unki (Centre). This is the only mandate the new experimental organization has got in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Tak noted that “time and history will judge the people who have gone against the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter Iltija Mufti refused to comment.
Satisfactory