Ahead of party launch, Bukhari discusses Kashmir politics with Madhav, in Gulmarg
UMER MAQBOOL. Updated: 2/23/2020 10:21:42 AM
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SRINAGAR: In an interesting development, BJP national general secretary and its pointsman on Kashmir, Ram Madhav on Thursday evening met former Finance Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari in Gulmarg, sources disclosed.
Highly placed sources informed The News Now that Madhav met Bukhari at Hotel Khyber Himalyan resort last evening and “discussed certain things”.
The meeting assumes significance as Bukhari is set to float a new political party in Kashmir Valley where political activities have come to grinding halt after abrogation of Article 370 by the BJP-led Central government.
All political heavyweights, include three former Chief Ministers, are in detention since August 5 when Centre abrogated J&K’s special status and partitioned it into two Union Territories.
When contacted, Bukhari said he had a chance meeting with Madhav at a social function.
“I met him at a birthday party. It was not a political meeting. Why should we discuss politics in social gatherings? It was 50th birthday of a friend. Incidentally Madhav was also there,” he said, adding that he exchanged pleasantries with Madhav.
Interestingly, a number of IPS officers, including two from J&K cadre, were also present in the birthday party of a non-local police officer in Gulmarg.
Over the past few months, Bukhari, an influential businessman, is making efforts to revive political activity in Kashmir. He was the first politician to reach-out to the Centre after abrogation of the Article 370.
In October last year, he attended the lunch hosted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in New Delhi for members of European Parliament who visited Kashmir.
PDP patron Muzaffar Husain Baig and Congress leader Usman Majeed were also present there.
On January 6, Bukhari along with seven former legislators met Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu to seek restoration of statehood and protection of exclusive rights of erstwhile permanent residents of J&K on jobs and land.
Three days later, he met a group of foreign envoys who were on a fact-finding visit to Kashmir.
As already reported, Bukhari is set to float “ Apni Party” whose core agenda will be restoration of statehood.