Hyder Ali
Early Times Report
Srinagar, May 12: Ending his 40-day "sabbatical", senior Peoples Democratic Party leader and former minister Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday evening made a surprise comeback at a dinner party thrown by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also happens to be his party president.
While Mehbooba Mufti hosted a Wazwan party for "selected group of journalists and other well-wishers" at the historic Nehru Guesthouse in the foot hills of Zaberwan Hills here, it was Altaf Bukhari, whose presence curiously attracted the guests the most.
Donning a designer suit, Bukhari, a businessman-turned-politician, arrived at the venue in his sedan. But what remained more conspicuous about his presence was that he arrived exactly at 8:00 PM, 15 minutes before Mehbooba drove in.
Emotionally charged Mehbooba, started her interaction with the guests with tributes to her father, and former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who passed away earlier this year on January 7.
Mehbooba said Mufti's demise left behind a vacuum and it remained a challenge for her to commence second innings with the rightwing party. She, however, maintained that the alliance would complete the full term.
After a few minutes of informal chitchat, the dinner commenced. Bukhari shared table with Mehbooba, only to be joined by their colleague and minister Naeem Akhter.
Bukhari, often rated among most influential PDP leaders enjoying circle of influence among mainstream and separatist camps, alike, hogged the headlines last month, when he didn't figure in the new Cabinet sworn in April 4.
Bukhari, who had been a minister for works in the previous Cabinet, subsequently left for Umrah pilgrimage and had been away since.
Observers had been taking his absence from the political canvas as lack of representation of Srinagar's iconic civil lines in the government. Often believed to be close aide of the Muftis, Bukhari had strategically helped the PDP to make inroads into old City, otherwise considered a National Conference bastion.
During the first innings of the alliance, Bukhari as a then minister would often visit the old city areas, something which had left the National Conference unnerved. His absence from the new Cabinet remained news among political circles.
Finding him making an impressive comeback at the party, many of the guests spent good time discussing Bukhari's meteoric rise in 2015, and his having emerged as an influential face in the PDP ranks.
Other PDP leaders including Mehboob Beg, Rafi Mir and Wahid Ur Rehman Parra were also seen enjoying the feast.
From among the civil and police administration only Director Information MuneerUl Islam and top police official could be seen dining. "It was to be selected gathering, so not all were not invited," said a host. |
