Apni Party Commemorates 4th Foundation Day

Srinagar, Mar 8: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Friday said that the deceptive politics of the traditional parties got exposed again the way they buried the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

Addressing a gathering of his party leaders and senior workers here, he said that the development has again vindicated the Apni Party’s stand and path based on truth and justice.

The gathering was organised in connection with the fourth foundation day of the Apni Party. A large number of people including men and women attended the function. Similar celebrations were held across Jammu and Kashmir.

Today the National Conference (NC) President Omar Abdullah said his party will contest all three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir and ruled out surrendering any seat to PDP. PDP President Mehbooba Mufti accused NC of breaking PAGD with its move.

“We founded the Apni Party with sincerity and truth to guide our people and protect their rights. We were criticised and given different names. Traditional parties formed PAGD, which was deception and an attempt by them to hide their tainted political faces with masks. They knew that they were responsible for the abrogation of Article 370 and resorted to drama and claimed that they would get back Article 370. Even these parties sought people’s votes based on this promise during the DDC elections. Now they have exposed themselves by breaking PAGD,” Bukhari said.

He appealed to the people to make the leaders of traditional parties accountable for what they did now and what they had been doing for the last 72 years.

Referring to the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kashmir, Bukhari said that he was expecting the PM would announce some significant decisions. However, he expressed hope that the PM will ensure that these crucial decisions are taken and announced soon.

He said, “The way people in Kashmir thronged to the PM’s rally yesterday was a clear indication that people are in favour of peace and harmony. I am happy that the Prime Minister experienced public enthusiasm firsthand. We were expecting the PM to declare the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to Kashmir. Also, we were hopeful for announcements regarding the prompt holding of assembly elections, granting pardons to detainees, and outlining a roadmap for the return of our Pandit brethren. However, none of that happened. Nevertheless, I am confident that, seeing a positive change on the ground in Kashmir, the PM will consider these longstanding demands from the people of J&K.”

The Apni Party President expressed his annoyance over the detention of several youths before the PM visited Kashmir.

Extending his warm greetings to his fellow leaders and party workers on the foundation day anniversary Bukhari said, “Today marks a significant milestone for all of us as the Apni Party has established its foothold and gained public acceptance and popularity in the shortest period since its inception on March 8, 2020. It is a success story, as this party has emerged as a reliable alternative in Jammu and Kashmir's political scenario.”

He said, “Post-August 2019, it was not an easy task to establish a new political party to stand by the people and give them a voice. After the abrogation of Article 370, the entire J&K remained in great chaos and uncertainty for months. At that time, thousands of people had been lodged in jails, and the entire J&K was crippled with all shops and businesses closed down, and communication links shrunk. The situation was so unpredictable that even the traditional parties and their leaders chose to remain silent. However, we decided to come forward to speak on behalf of the people and stand by them at that time of crisis.”

Bukhari said that then everybody was apprehensive that J&K would lose its identity, and demographic changes would occur.

“In our first meeting with the Prime Minister and other leaders in the government in Delhi, we convinced them to announce that J&K people would have exclusive rights to agricultural land and jobs in this region. I assure you that once the Apni Party secures a public mandate, we will strive to ensure that the central government provides constitutional support for this commitment,” he said.