Only SC, Parliament can restore Article 370: Bukhari

Kupwara, Apr 11: The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party chief, Altaf Bukhari Sunday said that the local leaders including those of NC and PDP have always fooled the people and they will continue to do so on the pretext of restoring Article 370 but only the Supreme Court and the parliament of India can do that. Talking to reporters on the sideline of a worker convention in Kupwara district Bukhari said that the leaders of NC and PDP have always befooled the people of Jammu and Kashmir and they will continue to do so on the pretext of restoring Article 370. Bukhari said that he fails to understand that what type of happiness the leaders of NC and PDP gain for terming the Apni Party as B-team of BJP. “We will continue to represent our people and if that makes the Apni Party B-team then we will accept it. Both NC and PDP are the A-Team of BJP that's why they termed us as the 2nd team,” he said. Meanwhile, during his address to the workers he said that the leaders of Gupkar Alliance was formed by the leaders only to change the color and stand there and the leaders who have made fake promises in the past decades aren't bothered as they only want to contest elections. Bukhari said that they (Gupkar Alliance) contested the maiden District Development Council (DDC) election to restore article 370 and 35-A. “Where is that now?,” Bukhari questioned. He also said that they will come forward again asking for votes for the restoration of Article 370 but that's quite impossible even after the assembly election but that won't happen. “Only the parliament and the Supreme Court of India can give back Article 370 and 35A to Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. On being asked about the passport issue of Mehbooba Mufti and ED summons to her mother, Bukhari said that it's very unfortunate that her mother has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate and it's the same bad feeling if someone will summon his mother but its the law and everyone has to abide by It. Referring to the relations between India and Pakistan as a good and positive sign, Bukhari said “We always pray for the peace of our valley and may it prevail. It won't matter if both the neighboring countries come close and develop good relations if the situation doesn't improve here.”