JAMMU: Emergence of Apni Party on March 8, 2020 on the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir had created ripples in the politics of the Union Territory that was reeling under a peculiar scenario with almost all mainstream leaders, including three former chief ministers, under detention in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370.
The initiative by young, straight-forward and dynamic politician Altaf Bukhari had, obviously, caught the imagination of all. This led to desertion of senior political leaders from their respective parties, only to join the Apni Party. There was temptation to jump the ships as the anchor of the new ship had a credibility to steer his Apni Party to premier position in the political horizon of Jammu and Kashmir. The public perception also gained momentum with analysts believing that the new political party will enter the power corridors sooner than later. This triggered a mad rush with senior leaders like Vijay Bakaya, Manjeet Singh, Choudhry Zulfikar, Hassan Mir, Dilawar Mir, to name a few, changing sides. Some of these turn-coats got into plump positions in the Apni Party hierarchy. Ironically, many of them had a dubious track-record of corruption.
Himself an honest and down to earth leader, Altaf Bukhari had no option but to welcome them all, with the hope that they may read writing on the wall and behave in public life. However, it was not to be. Many of these turn-coats eventually started indulging in murky politics, as old habits die hard. They became mentors for the cadre down below who have unleashed blackmailing for furthering their vested interest. Nobody in the hierarchy has the guts to rein in the unscrupulous second and third run cadres, who have started browbeating and indulging in all kinds of malpractices.
The image of the Apni Party at Ground Zero is a cause of worry and concern for its supremo Altaf Bukhari, especially as the party describes itself as being ‘of the commoners, by the commoners and for the commoners’. The party believes that government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir should be reserved for long standing residents of the region and businesses to be exclusive domain of the local businessmen, among other things. Hassan Mir, at the strength of his connections and so-called stature, got his son appointed through backdoor, first in judiciary and later shifted to a plump position in the government. Vijay Bakaya too got the infamous Rs 500 Cr JAKFED scam shelved. Some other leaders also have their ‘track-record of ‘acts of omission and commission’.
How long will Altaf Bukhari keep his flock together, as many of them have different aspirations? They have started behaving like masters, as the public perception gives them space to do so. People of J&K believe that given the patronage of New Delhi, Apni Party is going to form the next government in the Union Territory. This perception has emboldened the unscrupulous cadres to engage themselves in murky deals.
If the antecedents of AP’s Mir Jaffar are well known to the people, others too cannot hide themselves behind the fair image of Altaf Bukhari, who has left an indelible mark of honesty and political understanding during his tenure as minister, holding the key portfolios like finance and education. He did not earn the ‘credentials’ his other colleagues like ‘Mir Jaffar’ carry. This has brought the party to a passé and if insiders are to be believed, Bukhari has made his displeasure about the working style of some of his colleagues more than known. However, it is a real difficult task for him to tame the unbridled flock, which is looking for greener pastures. They are in a hurry to make hay while the sun is shining. They have no patience to wait for the party to get into the cradle of power, as there is ‘huge uncertainty’ about the political process to be set in motion and ‘democratically elected government’ put in place.
Given the misdeeds of leaders and workers of various rungs, the Apni Party has ‘slowly and steadily’ heading towards doom. Time for Altaf Bukhari to act and to act fast! Bukhari knows well that one sparrow does make it a summer. There has to be a team-a team of people with integrity and understanding.