JKUM, JKAC extend support to Apni Party’s Srinagar LS candidate

Srinagar, Apr 29: President Jammu and Kashmir United Movement (JKUM) & former MLA Ganderbal Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar and Jammu Kashmir Awami Conference (JKAC) President Saqib Rehman Makhdoomi on Monday announced unconditional support for the Apni Party’s parliamentary candidate for the Srinagar constituency, Mohammad Ashraf Mir.
Makhdoomi even withdrew his candidature as an independent candidate in the Srinagar constituency to support the Apni Party.
Jabbar and Makhdoomi made the announcement during a press conference held here. Apni Party’s Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, and Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, who is the party’s candidate for the LS polls in the Srinagar constituency, was also present at the press conference.
Ishfaq said, “We have decided to support the candidate from the Apni Party in the Lok Sabha elections for the Srinagar constituency. This decision was made in the best interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I firmly believe that we must oppose the parties that have greatly harmed the interests of the people of J&K. Therefore, we will ensure that Mohammad Ashraf Mir is elected as a Member of Parliament representing the Srinagar constituency.”
“Ishfaq Jabbar is one of the prominent political figures in Ganderbal. Like his late father, Sheikh Jabbar, who served as a minister in Jammu and Kashmir, Ishfaq Jabbar holds vast influence over the people in the district,” the Apni Party said in a statement issued here.
Taking a dig at the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Jabbar said, “The NC has now openly come forward to join hands with Shiv Sena. Previously, leaders of both the NC and PDP adamantly stated that they would abstain from participating in elections until Article 370 was reinstated. However, they have suddenly forgotten their pledge and jumped into the poll fray. These parties have consistently harmed the interests of the people.”
He expressed grave concern over the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that like-minded parties need to come forward to work for the well-being of the people.
“We cannot afford further deaths and destruction in this land. We have already suffered greatly. The future of traditional leaders and their children is secure; they live in London. But we need to think of the vulnerable young population here. Look at the drug menace. We cannot afford to watch this situation as silent spectators. We need to work for the peace and prosperity here,” he said.
He also demanded the establishment of a commission to ascertain the reasons for the eruption of violence in the 1990s in Jammu and Kashmir. “A commission must be established to uncover the reasons and factors behind militancy here. The infamous rigging in the 1987 assembly elections also needs to be investigated.”
Ghulam Hassan Mir extended his gratitude to Ishfaq Jabbar for his support for the Apni Party candidate. “We are thankful to the Jammu and Kashmir United Movement (JKUM) and its leader for extending support to our candidate, Mohammad Ashraf Mir. I am sure that this support will significantly bolster our campaign,” he said.
Saqib Rehman Makhdoomi was accompanied by the leaders of the Awami Conference including General Secretary Fayaz Qadri, Vice President Riyaz Ahmad Rather, District President Srinagar Jan Mohammad, Secretary Showkat Ahmad Mir, Advisor Parvez Ahmad Sheikh, and others.
Addressing the press conference, Makhdoomi said, “I withdrew my candidature as an independent candidate for the LS polls in the Srinagar constituency to support the Apni Party. We have decided to vote and support the Apni Party in the larger interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He further said, “We support the Apni Party’s narrative for peace, prosperity, and development. We have full faith in the leadership of the Apni Party. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari is a committed individual with a reputation for integrity, and we are confident that he will lead J&K to new heights of prosperity and development.”