BJP's candidate Mushtaq Bukhari compared to Mahatma Gandhi, Mandela dies
Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Bukhari, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate from Surankote Assembly constituency, passed away on Wednesday. The 75-year-old was at his home in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district when he suffered a heart attack. He had been unwell for some time. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.
Bukhari's political journey and legacy
Bukhari, a two-time former MLA from Surankote, made the switch to the BJP in February 2024 after the Centre granted Scheduled Tribe status to his Pahari community. Before this, he was with the National Conference for almost 40 years. He left the NC in February 2022 after a fallout with Farooq Abdullah over the ST status for Pahari-speaking people. Two years later, Bukhari joined the BJP, promising to align with any party that would grant ST status to his community.
Bukhari's influence on Pahari community and beyond
Known as "peer sahab" within the Muslim community, Bukhari was a respected spiritual leader who holds considerable sway over the Pahari community. This community comprises approximately 12.5 lakh people spread across Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts. During the campaign for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, BJP's national general secretary Tarun Chugh likened him to Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela for his work for the tribal community. "Bukhari Sahab...has worked to bring them freedom," Chugh remarked.
Bukhari's death leaves a void in J&K politics
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina and leaders of other political parties have expressed their condolences over Bukhari's death. "Bukhari was a mass leader and his death left a void which is very hard to fill," Raina said. The Surankot constituency voted in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on September 25.
