Jammu, Dec 21: Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Thursday demanded the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is one of our core agendas to restore the Statehood of Jammu and Kashmir and for this mission, we would continue our struggle,” Bukhari said during a joining program here which was organized by State President ST Wing, Saleem Alam.
In this program, Naib Sarpanch Ashwani Kumar of Seora in Bishnah, District Jammu along with dozens of his supporters joined the party, an official statement issued here said.
Welcoming the new entrants, Bukhari hoped that their joining would strengthen the party and appreciated the Party leadership in Jammu for their tireless efforts for its work.
In his address, Altaf Bukhari said that the people in J&K want the restoration of statehood and the Apni Party is committed to continuing its struggle for the restoration of the lost glory of Jammu and Kashmir. “It’s our core agenda to get the statehood restored,” he said.
Questioning the silence of the traditional political parties, the Apni Party chief said they create regional division and advocate self-rule and autonomy to gain votes whereas the BJP banks on religious politics to create wedges among the people of different segments.
“However, we believe in the unity of all the sections of society and equitable development. We do not play with the emotions of the people for the vote bank. Instead, we tell the truth to the people. Therefore, the people have rejected the divisive politics and double speech of the politicians from traditional political parties and hence, they join Apni Party in large numbers from across J&K,” he stated.
He also held BJP responsible for the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory. “J&K was a historic state that needs to be restored without further delay,” he stated.
He said the Apni Party believes in the politics of development and equal rights to all the people in J&K. “Assembly elections are a must to hold the officials accountable and address the growing concerns of the people in both the region and unemployed youth,” he said.
