Altaf Bukhari warns against equating participation in Lok Sabha polls with referendum

Srinagar, May 04: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari lashed out at political leaders who equate participation in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections with a referendum, stating that "such politicians are once again deceiving the people of Jammu and Kashmir and leading them towards death and destruction."

Addressing a public meeting in Fateh Kadal area of Srinagar district, Bukhari, as per Kashmir News Service (KNS), said that during the ongoing Lok Sabha election, some political leaders are attempting to instigate an uncertain situation in J&K by likening participation in the elections to a referendum.

He welcomed the statement made by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq regarding the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, in which Farooq emphasized that "participation in the electoral process shouldn't be treated as a referendum." "I appreciate Mirwaiz Umar Farooq's statement that elections should not be equated with a referendum. Those who claim that this election is no less than a referendum are leading Kashmir astray once again," Bukhari remarked.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Srinagar for their participation in the rally, Bukhari assured them that their concerns would be addressed. "I want to assure the people of Shehr-e-Khaas that I will personally address the challenges you are facing. I will remove obstacles from your path with my utmost diligence," Bukhari assured.

Responding to a query, Bukhari stated, "The Jammu and Kashmir Police belong to us, and I have the right to critique them."