Apni Party calls for political unity to protect J&K’s rights

Srinagar, July 13: Expressing deep concern over the Centre’s move to amend the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, to give additional powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG), Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari Saturday called for unity among all regional political parties.

Addressing a news conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari emphasised the need to collectively advocate for the restoration of J&K’s statehood with all the powers it held before August 5, 2019.

Expressing his concern over the amendment, he said, “Amending the J&K Reorganisation Act to increase LG’s powers will eventually weaken the State, diminish the Assembly’s authority, and undermine the elected government in the future.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs amended the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, granting the LG increased powers over the transfers and postings of all-India service officers, Police, and the appointment of judicial officers.

This amendment would eventually diminish the powers of the J&K Assembly and the elected government.

Bukhari urged all regional parties to join hands to ensure that J&K has an assembly and its elected government with the full range of powers it previously held.

“This is something alarming, and J&K’s political parties cannot afford to remain silent on this amendment. We need to unite and advocate for the rights of J&K and its people. So, the Apni Party, as a smaller and newer political entity, requests all regional political parties to set aside our political differences and join hands to ensure the restoration of rights to J&K. We cannot afford a weak assembly and a powerless elected government. To effectively address pressing public issues and grievances, J&K needs a strong assembly and a capable government, regardless of who is elected. It is high time that we collectively raise our voices. This is imperative. It’s now or never,” he said.

The Apni Party President said, “We do not demand anything extraordinary; we simply ask to be granted what we are entitled to under the constitution of the country. Why shouldn't J&K have an assembly and government with the same powers enjoyed by every other state? This is our right, and I urge all parties to unite in reclaiming this right.”

He said that post-August 2019, the Apni Party engaged with government leaders in New Delhi to secure the restoration of exclusive rights for the people of J&K over agricultural land and jobs.

“Although we were ridiculed, accused, and even abused at that time for going to Delhi and meeting the leaders, the fact is that we successfully ensured the protection of lands and jobs for the people in J&K. However, this time it is imperative that all political parties unite to ensure the reinstatement of our assembly and statehood with the same powers we previously held,” Bukhari said.

Talking about certain grave issues that people in J&K were suffering from, he said, “People in J&K are grappling with and suffering from grave issues that need to be resolved. A significant number of young people are behind bars and need to be released so they can return to their normal lives with their families. Police verification reports for thousands of passport seekers and job aspirants are being withheld, causing immense suffering for these individuals. Unemployment and a lack of opportunities are increasing here. All these and other similar issues need to be addressed. That is why we require an elected government with full powers, regardless of which party is elected or who is chosen by the people to lead. We cannot afford a powerless chief minister here. So, the Apni Party humbly requests all regional political forces to come together to ensure statehood and a government with full powers.”

Talking about the MP elected for the Baramulla seat, Engineer Rashid, Bukhari said, “It is unfortunate that an elected representative, who was given a mandate by the 5 lakh people in the Baramulla constituency, continues to be behind bars. This is a complete injustice to the people. Jointly, we can raise this issue as well.”

Bukhari was flanked by his senior party colleagues including senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Vice Presidents Usman Majid and Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Muhammad Ashraf Mir, Chief Coordinator Abdul Majeed Padder, State Secretary and Chief Spokesman Muntazir Mohiuddin, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, District President Kupwara Raja Manzoor, District President Srinagar Noor Muhammad Sheikh, and District President Anantnag Abdul Rahim Rather.