Statehood our right, not a favour; Er Rashid must Be released immediately; Shabir Shah, Fayyaz Hameed need urgent medical attention; Free electricity units promise was a mockery
Srinagar, July 02: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said the party is undergoing a complete organisational revamp and will soon emerge stronger across Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Bukhari said that the party structure from booth level to the district headquarters will be rebuilt within the next three months to ensure deeper grassroots engagement and a more robust public outreach.
He said that statehood for Jammu and Kashmir is a constitutional right and not a favour.“We don’t need anyone to tell us that statehood will come. We demand to know when it is coming and what your role will be. The Prime Minister and the Home Minister are not the property of any one party. They represent all of India, including Jammu and Kashmir,” Bukhari said.
Calling for the release of incarcerated political leaders, Bukhari said the will of the people must be honoured.
“Engineer Rashid should be released immediately. The people have spoken through their mandate and that mandate must be respected. Similarly, Shabir Ahmad Shah and Fayyaz Hameed require urgent medical attention. Their health must be safeguarded as a matter of human rights,” he said.
Rwjecting the idea that political power is a privilege granted at will, Bukhari said that elected representatives have a responsibility to deliver on promises.
“We don’t indulge in conspiracies. We do the politics of truth and transparency. We are not here to deceive people with hollow slogans,” Bukhari said.
Lashing out at the National Conference for what he called “unfulfilled and misleading promises,” Bukhari said free electricity and ration pledges were made just to score political points.
“Announcing 200 free electricity units when only a handful benefit is mockery. If out of 1.3 crore people, only 3,000 receive benefits, then something is seriously wrong. It’s shameful,” he said.
He criticized the superficial claims of development made by some parties.
“You can’t pour oil on potholes and call it development. Look at the state of Srinagar city, nothing is happening on the ground. Promises are made, but the people remain neglected,” he said.
Bukhari also urged the Government of India to take concrete measures to address the problems of labourers and daily wagers.
“The Labour Department is non-functional. Scholarship and assistance files are gathering dust. The Wage Board is not being implemented. This department is more crucial than even the PWD, and must be prioritized,” he said.
Dismissing the notion of political opportunism and alliances, Bukhari said that they have never needed an alliance to survive. “Our politics is grounded in reality and experience. Others come and go, but we are here to stay with the people,” Bukhari said.
Bukhari also made appeal regarding the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. “The Amarnath Yatra is a symbol of Kashmir’s hospitality. The yatris are our guests and we must welcome them with open arms and ensure their safety and comfort. Let this Yatra be successful and peaceful, as always,” he added.
