No space for dynastic politics in Democracy: Altaf Bukhari

Shopian/ Kulgam, May 22:  President Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday reiterated his commitment to securing the release of all arrested youth. He took a dig at the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (NC) for engaging in dynastic politics.

Talking to reporters on the side-lines of public rallies in south Kashmir’s Shopian and Kulgam districts, Bukhari said that he represented all those who were languishing in jails.

“I will not rest until I bring each one of them back home”, he said.

In response to a question about the huge participation of people in the electoral process, Bukhari said that people reposed their faith in democracy and came out of their homes to cast their ballots.

“And this is our politics— the politics of truth”, he said.

Criticising PDP leader Mehbooba over the involvement of hawala money in elections, Bukhari said, “Mehbooba ji should explain the source Rs 20 lakh that came to Mendhar”.

“I will get it investigated when I come to power”, he said. Referring to the recently concluded polls in Srinagar Lok Sabha seat , Bukhari said that one Chief Minister was defeated during the last phase of polling.

“I appeal to the people of Rajouri and Poonch, and south Kashmir to keep the second Chief Minister out of power”, Bukhari said.

Bukhari slammed both National Conference and PDP leaders for raising the slogans of autonomy and self-rule.

“Where have your slogans for autonomy and self-rule gone? Why don’t you seek votes for them now?”, Bukhari said. He said that “if they were sincere, they should have sought votes for the same issues.”

Bukhari said “we are living in a democratic country and there is no place for dynastic rule”.  “In the name of fighting against the dynastic rule, this party raised another dynasty”, he said. He said that people in Jammu and Kashmir always believed in democracy.

“It is New Delhi that eroded the faith of people in democracy when they rigged the elections in 1987 as part of the Rajiv-Farooq accord”, he said.

“When Shiv Sena could form a government why not the Jammt-e-Islami”.

Reiterating his conviction regarding J&K's relationship with the rest of the country, he said, “Jammu and Kashmir has been destined to be an integral part of the country, and it will always remain so. Although New Delhi has caused issues and problems for the people in this region, I am sure the solutions to these issues and problems will also come from New Delhi, not from elsewhere.”

Castigating the PDP chief for her assertion that people will fight for another hundred years, Bukhari said, “Fight for what? The people of J&K are not going to fight against their country. Yes, we should fight, but not against our country; instead, we must fight against issues like poverty, and unemployment.”

“The PDP leader held the post of Chief Minister and State Home Minister in 2017 when people like Engineer Rashid, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, and others were arrested and sent to jail. The leaders of NC and PDP, who remained at the helm for years and decades, are responsible for landing thousands of our youth either in jails or in graveyards,” he added.

Urging people not to fall prey to the “deceptive slogans” of traditional political parties, Bukhari urged people to vote for the Apni Party candidate Zaffar Iqbal Manhas.

“Apni Party needs your support and vote to ensure we implement our pro-people agenda in Jammu and Kashmir. I urge you to vote for Zaffar Sahib, and I assure you that this party will not disappoint you,” he said.

Bukhari promised that upon receiving a public mandate to serve, the party would withdraw FIRs against youth, issue verification reports to job aspirants and passport seekers.

He said that he would also “abolish laws like PSA and AFSPA.” Additionally, he promised to restore statehood and lift the ban on religious organisations like Jamaat-i-Islami.

Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included the Party’s Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir, State Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin, Senior Leader and Former Mayor of Srinagar Junaid Azim Mattu, District President Abdul Majeed Padder, Provincial President for the Party's Women's Wing Dilshada Shaheen, Syed Bashir Ahmad, Vice Chairman DDC Shopian and party's Spokesperson Irfan Manhas, Yasmeena Ji, Nigeena Ji and Advocate Gowhar, Lateef Ahmad Wani.