*“Where is the Gupkar Gang now?”: Altaf Thakur*

Srinagar, Sept 4:BJP J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Saturday asked, “Where is the so-called Gupkar Gang now?”, accusing National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of using the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) for political gains and abandoning the alliance and its constituents after coming to power.
Thakur said the Gupkar alliance was projected as a united political front, with its leaders making tall claims about defending the interests and rights of Jammu and Kashmir. “When elections came, the Gupkar Gang stood together, sought votes in the name of unity and made people believe that they were fighting for a common cause. But once the National Conference came to power, the same alliance and its leaders disappeared from the political scene,” he said.
He questioned why those who were part of the PAGD are maintaining silence today. “Where are the voices that once echoed from Gupkar? Where are the leaders who shared the stage and made promises to the people? Why are they silent now? The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve answers,” Thakur said.
The BJP spokesperson alleged that the Gupkar alliance was created as a political arrangement to consolidate votes and secure electoral advantage. “The Gupkar narrative was raised loudly when votes were needed, but after securing power, the NC has conveniently forgotten its old partners and the politics it practised under the Gupkar banner,” he said.
Thakur said Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah owe an explanation to the people as to what happened to the political unity showcased under the PAGD. “If the Gupkar alliance was genuinely formed for a cause, why has it vanished after the elections? If it was only an election strategy, then the NC should have the courage to admit it,” he said.
He further accused the NC leadership of remembering its allies only when it needed political support. “The moment power came within reach, the Gupkar Gang was dismantled politically. Those who stood shoulder to shoulder with the NC were left alone, while the Abdullahs moved ahead to occupy positions of power,” Thakur said.
Thakur said the silence of former PAGD constituents was equally significant. “Those who once spoke aggressively from the Gupkar platform are now silent. Is this because they have nothing to say, or because the NC has achieved what it wanted?” he asked.
He said the people are no longer willing to be misled by political slogans and alliances created around elections. “Jammu and Kashmir needs politics of development, transparency and accountability, not politics of convenience. The people will judge every party and every leader on the basis of their performance rather than emotional slogans,” Thakur said.
Thakur also targeted the Omar Abdullah-led government over what he termed its failure to fulfil election promises, saying the NC had made a series of commitments to the people but was now busy defending its record instead of addressing growing public concerns.
“The Gupkar Gang was loud when it wanted votes. Today, when the NC is in power, there is complete silence. The people want to know whether the Gupkar politics was a genuine political movement or merely a ladder to power,” Thakur said.
He challenged the NC leadership to come clean on the fate of the PAGD and explain why its former partners have been left politically isolated.
“Gupkar was created with much fanfare, but today it has become a political ghost. The Abdullahs should tell the people where the Gupkar Gang has gone and why those who once stood with them have been abandoned,” Thakur said.
EOM