Lok Sabha polls: J&K Apni Party open to pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties

Srinagar, March 19: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) expressed openness on Tuesday to forming a pre-poll alliance with "like-minded parties" in the Union Territory ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Apni Party general secretary Rafi Mir said, "We have proposed discussions with various like-minded parties interested in advancing the welfare of the people of J-K. If they reach out to us, we will engage in serious dialogue to serve the interests of the people."

Mir emphasized that the party aims to invite other like-minded parties to collaborate and forge an alliance for the betterment of J-K's residents.

"We will extend invitations to all like-minded parties to contest elections together. This is just the beginning. We anticipate receiving approaches and will also initiate discussions. The party president has been authorized to lead these discussions, and we anticipate finalizing the alliance in a day or two," he elaborated.

Mir noted that while the Apni Party holds some ideological differences with the BJP, discussions with them are currently challenging. "We will reassess the situation in the future. At present, we are focused on contesting based on our own strengths," he concluded.