Jammu: Prominent Pahari leader and former minister Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari is joining Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday.
He becomes the second Pahari unionist to align with the BJP in recent days, a move that coincides with the Government of India's decision to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari Ethnic Group in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier,
former legislator and NC leader Shenaz Ganai joined the BJP in New Delhi. Shenaz Ganai belongs to Poonch district and represented the NC in the legislative council of the erstwhile state of J&K.
Reportedly, Bukhari of National Conference in Rajouri and Poonch region resigned from the party in 2022 over the issue of granting ST status to Paharis.
Political experts believe that Bukhari's joining will be a major boost to BJP in Anantnag- Rajouri Lok Sabha seat.
(KNO)