Anyone can claim power after normalcy restores, but I can not sit in house when people suffer in pain: Altaf Bukhari

JAMMU: Asserting that standing up for the people in Jammu and Kashmir in the time of crisis was paramount, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that his decision to break the five-month-long political logjam in the region was aimed at alleviating the miseries of residents, and not for power.
In an exclusive interview with The News Now, Bukhari-- seen by many as the key force in the future course of Jammu and Kashmir politics-- also denied the existence of a ‘third front’, terming the recent developments as ‘concerned individuals coming together for the sake of UT’.
Reiterating his demands for restoration of Statehood and release of political detainees, the former minister also spoke on the challenge to abrogation of Article 370, his supporters, the ongoing outreach program of Centre, and the assembly elections among a number of issues.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

What do you make of the Centre’s decision to scrap Article 370 of the constitution?
The Centre’s decision has been challenged in the court of law and as the matter is subjudice in the Supreme Court, it won’t be appropriate for me to comment on it. The hearing on the petitions challenging the August 5 move has commenced. Let us wait for the Supreme Court’s decision on those. The Jammu and Kashmir (pleas against the abrogation) has a strong case, I feel.

The Centre claimed that once the Article 370 is removed, the region will see a new era of development. Do you see that happening?
Well, it is a long process, I reckon. The Centre has made tall promises and while I hope for the best, there is nothing that any of us can say as to what happen a couple of years later. Only time will prove how sincere has the Centre remained in its promises and their fulfillment. Till then, let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best to come out.

You broke the political logjam on January 7, when you met Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu. How exactly did this happen?
There is no plan in it. I cannot see my people suffering, with miseries. Ever since the abrogation of Article 370, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are felling suffocated. The people are worried, as they fear for their lands and jobs. We have seen the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir Bank being diminished, our leaders are detained since August 5, our youth are still booked in several cases.
Someone had to talk. When the normalcy is restored, anyone can come out and project themselves as the leader of the people. But what about now, when our people are scared, in pain and miseries. I could not have sat in my house while all this happen, even if people abuse me. If at this point of time I don’t come forward and raise the miseries of my people then who is going to do that.

Where exactly do you see this thing going?
My focus remains on one thing and only one thing. I seek to alleviate the miseries of my people and nothing else. Everything I have done, or doing, or will be doing is only for the people. There is no political agenda; there is no lust for power. Period.

You are being projected as the leader of the ‘third front’. What is this front?
Let me make it categorically clear, there is no such thing existing as ‘Third Front’. When we met Lieutenant Governor, we did so in our individual capacities. It was only a group of concerned politicians coming together for the cause of their people.
At most you can call it the beginning of a reconciliation process. We know there are certain things the Raj Bhavan can give us, and some the New Delhi. A dialogue was initiated and we are of the belief that people will benefit from it.

What about detained political leaders?
All the mainstream leaders should be released as soon as possible, irrespective of their political affiliation. In Democracy, you cannot detain people or their representatives like this. Along with the leaders, the activists and workers should also be released at the earliest.
Politics is an inclusive game and their release is crucial for restoration of political process in Jammu and Kashmir.

If assembly elections are announced even when mainstream leaders are still detained, will then Altaf Bukhari contest?
My focus, and that of my colleagues, is only on solution to the challenge we are facing right now which is political vacuum. Election is far-stretched subject, at this point of time.
As far as the question remains whether I will contest or not, I have never been a ruler. And my vision or efforts have nothing to do with power politics. The main issue is to listen to miseries of common people and giving them a shoulder to cry. You can give the power to those who have the habit of ruling.

How many people, political leaders are with Altaf Bukhari right now?
See, it is not about how many people or politicians are with me. It is all about how many people are with the idea I believe in.

What is next?
I will follow up with the memorandum I have presented to Lieutenant Governor. It is my bible—and I will abide by that on every level and will educate people about it and also at the government level.