Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari Saturday said that upcoming Assembly elections in the region are aimed to get the lost identity of J&K back.
He said the upcoming elections are an opportunity for people of J&K to show people of India that we believe in democracy.
“Election was important for the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. Today this is an opportunity for us to get back our lost identity. This is to show people of India that we people of J&K believe in democracy. And most importantly this would be a loud and clear message to BJP that J&K people do not approve your rule and decisions,” Bukhari as per KNS told media persons during his reach out program in Chanapora Assembly Constituency.
He said Apni Party has already made its manifesto public and the party is committed to fulfill all those promises made therein. “We have talked about general amnesty, addressing power crisis, two lakh jobs to unemployed youth, addressing issues of daily wagers, enhancement of old age pension & marriage assistance, restoration of darbar move tradition and importantly restoration of Statehood to J&K. And we are committed to get back our rights,” he said.
Bukhari said people were waiting for elections for a long time and their response towards the ongoing democratic exercise is commendable. “How political leaders see these elections is not important. The basics is how people see it. They have been waiting for polls for the last ten years, and their participation is immensely heartwarming. People want their own representative who will address their concerns and flag up their demands at higher levels,” Bhukhari said.
Responding to a query, he said we are just a 4-year old party and we are ready to take part in polls in our capacity. “Whatever people will give us, the Apni Party will accept that with open heart. During reach out programs we are getting good response from people as they are fully aware of our work we did in the last four years for the welfare of J&K and its people,” he said.
“We will bring statehood back to J&K,” Bukhari reiterated at the occasion.
He said in Lok Sabha polls political parties have lost while religious leaders won the hearts of people. “In north Kashmir two party heads lost elections there. Also in south Kashmir a president of another political party was defeated. While in central Kashmir Apni Party’s provincial president lost elections. There were only religious leaders like Mian Altaf and Aga Ruhullah who achieved success,” he added.
