Traditional parties established own autocracy after Maharaja’s rule : Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Feb 8

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today said that the traditional political parties and their leaders established their own autocracy in Jammu and Kashmir following the end of the Maharaja’s rule in 1947.

According to a press release, he was addressing an event at the party headquarters here. The event was organised to welcome the new entrants from north Kashmir’s Pattan and Wagoora constituencies. Belonging to these constituencies, a significant number of political leaders, workers, and activists from various political parties joined Apni Party on this occasion. Bukhari, accompanied by other esteemed party leaders, extended a warm welcome to the new entrants.

Bukhari said that Apni Party is exceptional for not being affiliated with any political dynasty. He said, “Ours is the only party that does not belong to any political family. This is the party of the masses. I urge the youngsters to join hands with us in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Together, we can change the political and economic scenario in Jammu and Kashmir for the better.”

Apni Party President appealed to the LG Administration to review the cases of detainees who have been in jail for a long time. These individuals must be allowed to resume peaceful lives with their families. Furthermore, he reiterated his demand, urging the centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and hold due Assembly, Panchayat, and ULB polls here without any further delay.

Taking a dig at the traditional political parties and their leaders, Apni Party President said, “Our older generation fought against the autocracy of the Dogra regime pre-1947. Unfortunately, the leaders they trusted began their own autocracy and family rule here post-47. Furthermore, to establish their grip on power over the past70 years, these parties and their leaders even misled people with fake slogans like 'Raishumari,' 'Autonomy,' 'Self-rule,' and so on. They kept innocent people occupied with these slogans for their own political advantage.”

He stated that even these leaders lied to people about the so-called special status of Jammu and Kashmir.” In reality, no such special status had ever existed in J&K over the past seven decades. They made us believe that Article 370 could not be revoked and claimed that the accession with India would automatically end if Article 370 was removed. Now, a clearer picture has emerged. Today, it is evident that all these slogans were hollow,” Bukhari added.

He viewed that it is truly astounding that even after the abrogation of Article 370, these political parties and their leaders shamelessly come to the people, claiming that they will restore this article. “They are saying this to allure voters and regain power yet again,” Apni Party President said.

Talking about the agenda and policies of the Apni Party, Bukhari said, “This party was established post-August 2019, when the entire Jammu and Kashmir was under great chaos and distress. People were apprehensive that after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, the demography would change and the region would lose its identity. Unfortunately, the leaders whom people trusted over the years and decades remained silent at that time. At that crucial stage, we decided to come forward and stand by our people, striving to protect their fundamental and democratic rights.”