‘I floated similar ideas two months ago’
Jammu: In yet another turn of events in the already erratic political situation in Jammu and Kashmir, PDP patron Muzaffar Beigh has claimed that Altaf Bukhari and the delegation of the legislators he is leading at present are echoing his words and toeing his line.
In a detailed interview with a national newspaper, Beigh has stated that what Bukhari has said in his memorandum that he submitted before the Governor was pitched by him two months ago. “It took them two months to repeat the ideas I floated earlier. I welcome their support though. We did meet once since August 5 but did not discuss what his intentions are and his politics is. I know of my view and the reasons why I hold certain viewpoints now. I can’t peep into their conscience. Yes, the suggestions I had given earlier figured later in their statements,” Beigh was quoted as having said in an interview.Such a revelation has once again made the speculations galore about the PDP’s rebel group confabulating with the PDP Patron to join hands and finalize the future strategy.Beigh who is viewed as a maverick within the Jammu and Kashmir’s political circle at present has further hinted at Mehbooba being misguided by some people to issue instigative statements ahead of the 370 revocation. He also cited PDP and NC’s boycott to municipal and Panchayat polls as a reason that probably annoyed Government of India, making it to downgrade the state to a union territory.
He said, “Initially, I thought these statements were made in anger and out of some emotional disturbance. On second thought, it came to my mind that a person who has been a chief minister would not make such statements unless somebody had misled her into making them. I wish I could talk to her and at some stage we meet and she apprises me of the situation which led her to make them. Those statements did not help the State of J&K. Article 370 was on the BJP’s agenda but downgrading of the State to UT, I fail to understand the circumstances. Maybe they were annoyed by certain postures of the NC and the PDP. Both decided against participating in panchayat and municipal elections. Maybe, the Centre was annoyed by this.”Beigh as per the interview has also asked the separatists to demand what is achievable in the current political set up and not to demand anything which is unnatural and only causes death and destruction.Furthermore, the PDP patron has hinted that he is ready to play a pivotal role in building the consensus between various political parties of Jammu and Kashmir so that a joint strategy is formulated that can seek protection of the core interests of the erstwhile state and steer ship to shore.The political upheaval is prevalent in Jammu and Kashmir with various political leaders joining hands to come together and make a united form. The PDP recently axed eight of its senior leaders for accompanying the PDP’s ousted leader AltafBukahri to meet the Lt Governor and submit a memorandum that demanded domicile rights for the JK’s permanent residents.
