Fissures in Gupkar alliance after Kashmiri leader’s Delhi visit

By Ahmed Ali Fayyaz New Delhi, Jan 7 : The alliance of seven valley-based political parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist), has begun to develop cracks after a senior Kashmiri leaders recent visit to New Delhi. Heading a regional party, the leader is said to have met with the top functionaries in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs including Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to the well-placed political and bureaucratic sources privy to the development, the Kashmiri leader has also attended a dinner meeting with the Apni Party founder-president Altaf Bukhari. The Apni Party has contested the recent District Development Council (DDC) elections independently in Jammu and Kashmir but it is widely believed to be friendly with the BJP. It comprises a number of former legislators and Ministers who have mostly deserted Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP after her dismissal as Chief Minister.
The first voice of dissidence came from Basharat Bukhari of the National Conference (NC) who publicly challenged the PAGD leadership to roll out the “road map” of getting back Article 370 and the Statehood. He clarified to a local news agency that without drawing a road map, the PAGD would end up as another alliance like the Hurriyat.
“Gupkar Declaration” was for protecting Article 370, 35-A, the Constitution and the flag of Jammu and Kashmir and the Statehood. That all stands snatched away”, Bukhari has pointed out and asked the senior leadership to delineate the path of realising the goal of Article 370 and Statehood. After serving as MLC, MLA and Minister, Bukhari has joined the NC.
Over a dozen of leaders, associated with different constituents, have raised questions asking why there was no electoral alliance on the 140 seats in Jammu and why several members of the constituents had contested elections against one another in Kashmir. Those who contested the PAGD’s NC nominees include PDP’s Women’s wing president Safeena Baig in Wagora Baramulla and PDP General Secretary Nazir Ahmad Khan in Beerwah. Senior PDP leader and former Minister Ghulam Nabi Hanjura’s candidates fought NC’s official candidates in four segments of Budgam district.
PC’s vice president and a former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil has demanded “necessary action” against the rebels and the proxies who contested against the official candidates of the PAGD.