Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 18 : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today said that if Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari has indeed recognized his mistakes, he should apologize to the people for his actions over the past five years before advocating for a united front.
During a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, he said that Bukhari had initially opposed the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and had praised the BJP’s efforts in the region. “Bukhari’s claims of restoring jobs and land ownership rights were hollow, especially considering recent laws and the increased powers granted to the Lieutenant Governor,” he said.
He highlighted that Bukhari had remained on the sidelines during the formation of the PAGD and that his call for unity now comes only after his party’s poor performance in the last elections, where it failed to secure deposits in any constituency. Hanjura reiterated the party’s stance that the events of August 5th were unjust and vowed to continue the struggle against them, emphasizing that cooperation with like-minded parties would not be swayed by Bukhari.
He further rejected Bukhari’s gestures, pointing out that Bukhari had previously aligned with the BJP, which openly supported him. “If Bukhari has recognized his mistakes, he should apologize to the people for his actions over the past five years before advocating for a united front,” he added.
Hanjura said that the recent militant attacks contradict the BJP’s claims of ending militancy and highlight the party’s failure to control it.