Srinagar: A “former member” of Jamaat-e-Islami from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district joined Apni Party headed by Altaf Bukhari here on Thursday, the party said in a statement.

The joining took place days after Bukhari said the doors of his group were open to separatists, including Jamaat and its members, were entitled to rights within the Indian constitution despite an official ban on their organisations.

The Jamaat was banned in 2018 in the run up to scrapping of the J&K special status.

The Apni Party said former Rukn-e-Jamaat , Talat Majeed and his supporters joined the party fold during a special event organised at the party headquarters in Srinagar today.

“It gives me immense pleasure to see that our invitation for people to join our party is receiving a positive response. Today’s joining is also the result of the sincere calls we frequently make during our public outreach programs,” Bukhari said while welcoming Talat Majeed into the party.

The Apni Party President said he was confident that they will continue to receive people, especially prominent political and social figures like Dr. Talat, into the party.

“Today, I wholeheartedly welcome Talat Sahib and his supporters to the party, and I assure you all that the entire party leadership will stand behind you like a rock when you are out there serving the people in your respective areas,” he said.

Bukhari also reiterated his open invitation to one and all to join the Apni Party.

“The party’s doors are open to everyone who wishes to join, regardless of their past political affiliations and ideologies. Those who reject terrorism, hold faith in the nation’s constitution, have not engaged in spreading drug menace, and earnestly aspire to contribute to the peace, prosperity, and development of Jammu and Kashmir are welcome to join Apni Party.

Our doors are wide open to all, irrespective of their past political ideologies and affiliations,” he said.

Bukhari last month met two top separatists, former Hurriyat Chief Prof Abdul Gani Bhat and Agha Syed Hassan Mosavi leading to speculations he was making an outreach to them.

The Apni Party comprising mostly legislators and former ministers was founded in March 2020, eight months after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A.

The Apni party has been accused by political opponents as being the BJP’s “B team”, an allegation denied by the party.