He was called BJP’s team B, when Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019. Apni Party President Sayed Altaf Bukhari was touted as the next CM candidate after his breakaway fraction split Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP. The new mainstream seen as BJP loyalist, that fit the anti dynasty plank the right wing was trying to sell. Two years hence as Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir continues to be ruled by the centre and security situations seems worse than before, Bhukari is as disillusioned as any one else in Kashmir. While former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has according to sources refused to meet Home minister Amit Shah, for the fear of loosing credibility among people, Bhukari says he is willing to meet to highlight the plight of common Kashmiris. Shah is going on a three day visit to Jammu and Kashmir- first since the place was striped of its special status . In a candid conversation Bhukari tells me

Kashmir is engulfed in hopelessness.
There is no conversation or communication happening with Kashmiris.
The administration at the helm doesn’t know Kashmir and they don’t know Kashmiris. It’s true for the bureaucracy as well as the LG Manoj Sinha’s office-I am not saying intentions of the government are not good but Kashmir and Kashmiris have hardly any representation in the administration also right now. All I can say is Kashmir and Kashmiris have never felt as alienated as they are feeling now .

On the civilians killings
No one in Kashmir and I speak for all the Kashmiri people, has ever approached of killing of civilians. They don’t approve now, they have never done in the past as well. Kashmiri has lived up to the occasion by being unanimous in condemning the killings . Kashmiri has openly denounced the killings of civilians.
The security situation is deteriorating with every passing day.

To be continued