Traditional political parties always served Delhi’s interests at cost of people of J&K: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Nov 7: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday urged the people of Budgam Assembly constituency to extend their support to the party’s candidate, Mukhtar Ahmad Dar, in the upcoming elections, asserting that the traditional political parties of Jammu and Kashmir have “always served Delhi’s interests at the cost of the people.”

Addressing a party convention in Humhama, Bukhari appealed to voters to reject the “deceptive politics” of the old parties and choose a representative who understands their issues. “Do you remember when Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its 200-year-old statehood, special status, and other constitutional rights on August 5, 2019, and the leaders of traditional parties chose to remain silent? They were missing when people needed them the most. They come to you only when they need your votes,” he said.

He told the gathering that even though the ongoing by-elections were not meant to form a government, electing an Apni Party representative would ensure that the local issues of Budgam are raised before the administration. “Mukhtar Ahmad Dar belongs to you — he is one of you and understands your problems. I assure you that he will not disappoint you and will work tirelessly to resolve the pressing issues of this constituency,” Bukhari said.

Taking a dig at the traditional political parties, the Apni Party president said they had compromised the political dignity and constitutional safeguards of Jammu and Kashmir for power. “These parties and their leaders have always served the interests of New Delhi at the expense of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They helped disband the posts of Chief Minister and Sadr-i-Riyasat and brought J&K under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission of India and the Supreme Court, thus eroding its special constitutional position. Did they get anything in return from Delhi during all these eight decades?” he asked.

Bukhari accused these parties of exploiting public sentiments for electoral gains. “Today they talk about prisoners and claim they want their release.

Ask them — if they were so concerned, why were leaders and common people arrested and sent to jails outside J&K when these same parties were in power? They are lying when they claim to want the release of detainees or the restoration of Article 370 and 35A. These are hollow promises meant to mislead you and secure your votes,” he said.

Urging voters to exercise caution and “use their vote wisely,” Bukhari said, “Do not fall prey to emotional slogans and false assurances. Support the Apni Party candidate, who will be answerable to you and will truly represent your voice.”

Prominent party leaders present at the convention included Vice President Javaid Mustafa Mir, Chief Coordinator and District President Kulgam Abdul Majeed Paddar, Provincial President Muhammad Ashraf Mir, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, State Youth President and Spokesperson Yawar Dilawar Mir, Spokespersons Ishrat Bashir and Dr Harbaksh Singh, District President Budgam Adv Owais Ashraf Shah, Provincial Organiser Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Vice Presidents Dr Bilal Ahmad Mir and Zaffar Habib Bhat, Chief Organiser Srinagar Shoaib Dar, and several other senior functionaries.