Srinagar, Jan 19: For anti-party activities, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled Altaf Bukhari from the party. Reacting to the decision Altaf Bukhari “welcomed” the decision but termed the reasons attributed as ‘debatable’
“Ever since the passing away of our founder Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, he (Altaf) has been perusing his personal political ambition at the cost of the party and state interest,” PDP said in a statement.
“Bukhari inspired and led dissent in the party at its most crucial stage which resulted in serious damage to our efforts at implementing the agenda of an alliance of our coalition government. While the party leadership was engaged in negotiations with its partner and the GOI insisting on implementing some agreed points before forming the new government, the dissension weakened its bargaining position forcing subsequent events against its will,” PDP said, adding, ““In spite of this obvious backstabbing and subversion of people’s interest the Party leadership believed in subsequent explanations and assurances of Bukhari and reposed complete trust in him by reinducting him in cabinet,” party added.
It added: “Unfortunately, ever after the end of the coalition, Bukhari instead of pursuing party interest in accordance with the expectations of our voters and workers started open attempts at breaking the Party by hobnobbing with its rivals.” . The PDP said newspapers have been running stories almost on daily basis to create the impression of Bukhari being at the centre of a ‘rebellion’ brewing in the party.
“The leadership waited in the hope of Bukhari rejecting these reports to clear the air. But unfortunately he did nothing to remove this impression. It was therefore decided to expel Bukhari from party’s basic membership with immediate effect,” the statement added.
Reacting to it, the former finance minister Altaf Bukhari welcomed the decision but termed reasons attributed as “debatable.”
“It has been a long association with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) especially with its founder Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. My association with this party has been enriching in many ways. It not only gave me a chance to work for my constituency but provided me an opportunity to contribute my bit in the development across the nook and corner of the state,” he said in a statement issued here.
“While I am happy over the party’s decision but the reasons given for my expulsion are debatable. During my journey of active politics I have witnessed agreements and disagreements, gratification and obstructions, brewing resentment and misguided notions. Power and position have never been an allurement for me as the history bears a testimony to that fact,” he said, adding, “During this brief stint of my active politics I also got a chance to witness the downfall of so called popular leaders and rise of those who were hitherto unknown in the arena of politics. I am also equally happy for this decision of the party as my conscience is clean and I never compromised on my principles. I wish the J&K PDP all the very best!”