Dynastic politics major hurdle in J&K’s progress: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Feb 24: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday asserted that  J&K’s persistent problems cannot be solved until “family politics” makes way for common people and fosters a constructive partnership with the central government.

As per KNS, Bukhari launched a veiled tirade against the “political dynasties”, holding them accountable for the lack of grassroots change.

“For the last 75 years, politics here has been the monopoly of a few families. In one house, the baton kept passing from father to son, and in another, it remained within the clan. As long as this politics of dynasties continues, the common man will never get a chance, and you will never see any change,” the Apni Party president said.

Bukhari said that the ground situation in the Union Territory has evolved, pointing to the recent electoral successes of former separatist-allied groups to stress his point that engagement with Delhi is now a universal reality. “You saw what happened recently. The  party, which contested and won, is now openly saying that we have to stay with Delhi. My point is proven: as long as you don’t engage with the government in Delhi, you can’t solve the problems of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. The Apni Party chief also accused certain factions of “attempting to leapfrog his party” in cosying up to the Centre, despite their historical anti-Delhi rhetoric.

“The other party is now singing a different tune. They are saying that if anyone can fix things, it is PM Modi. It seems they want to run two steps ahead of us and become pally with the BJP,” he alleged.