PDP Expels Altaf Bukhari For ‘Hobnobbing With Rivals’ 

SRINAGAR — Accusing him backstabbing and subverting people’s interest, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday expelled businessman-turned-politician and former minister Altaf Bukhari from the party for anti-party activities and ‘hobnobbing with rivals’.

“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 won his maiden assembly election from Amira Kadal in 2014 and was a minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

He was, however, dropped from the cabinet by Mehbooba when she took over after Sayeed’s death in 2016.

Bukhari was then made minister for Education in February 2017 and went on to become the finance minister of the state after Haseeb Drabu was expelled from the cabinet following his controversial remarks on Kashmir.

“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 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.

Unfortunately, ever after the end of coalition, Bukhari instead of pursuing party interest in accordance with the expectations of PDP voters and workers started open attempts at breaking the party by hobnobbing with its rival, the party said further. 

The PDP said newspapers have been running stories almost on daily basis to create 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.

‘Welcome Decision But Reasons Given Debatable’ 

Reacting to his expulsion from PDP, 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!”

‘Disloyal’ Leaders On Party Radar: PDP

Peoples Democratic Party is likely to expel a couple of senior leaders from party, insiders said this evening.

A leader from PDP said that Syed Altaf Bukhari was expelled as he didn’t clear the air. He added that there are some more senior leaders who are on the radar of the party. “If these leaders do not clear their position either before party or through media, they will be shown the door,” he said.

Another party leader confirmed that there are few more leaders inside the party who are resorting to anti-party activities. He said these leaders will either be expelled or will leave the party.

According to the sources a senior leader from Srinagar and another from Pulwama are likely to quit the party in coming days.

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