Srinagar, Feb 08: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Thursday, said that traditional political parties and their leaders established their own autocracy in Jammu and Kashmir following the end of the Maharaja’s rule in 1947.
He made this remark while addressing an event at the party headquarters in Srinagar today. The event was organized to welcome the new entrants from north Kashmir’s Pattan and Wagoora constituencies. Belonging to these constituencies, a significant number of political leaders, workers, and activists from various political parties joined Apni Party on this occasion. Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, accompanied by other esteemed party leaders, extended a warm welcome to the new entrants.
According to a party statement, while welcoming the new entrants into the party fold, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that Apni Party is exceptional for not being affiliated with any political dynasty.
He said, “Ours is the only party that does not belong to any political family. This is the party of the masses. I urge the youngsters to join hands with us in shaping the future of Jammu and Kashmir. Together, we can change the political and economic scenario in Jammu and Kashmir for the better.”
Taking a dig at the traditional political parties and their leaders, Apni Party President said, “Our older generation fought against the autocracy of the Dogra regime pre-1947. Unfortunately, the leaders they trusted began their own autocracy and family rule here post-47. Furthermore, to establish their grip on power over the past seventy years, these parties and their leaders even misled people with fake slogans like ‘Raishumari,’ ‘Autonomy,’ ‘Self-rule,’ and so on. They kept innocent people occupied with these slogans for their own political advantage.”
He went on to say, “Even these leaders lied to people about the so-called special status of Jammu and Kashmir. In reality, no such special status had ever existed in J&K over the past seven decades. They made us believe that Article 370 could not be revoked and claimed that the accession with India would automatically end if Article 370 was removed. Now, a clearer picture has emerged. Today, it is evident that all these slogans were hollow.”
“It is truly astounding that even after the abrogation of Article 370, these political parties and their leaders shamelessly come to the people, claiming that they will restore this article. They are saying this to allure voters and regain power yet again,” he added.
Talking about the agenda and policies of the Apni Party, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “This party was established post-August 2019 when the entire Jammu and Kashmir was under great chaos and distress. People were apprehensive that after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, the demography would change and the region would lose its identity. Unfortunately, the leaders whom people trusted over the years and decades remained silent at that time. At that crucial stage, we decided to come forward and stand by our people, striving to protect their fundamental and democratic rights.”
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari assured the new entrants that Apni Party’s leadership will not disappoint them and will always be on the side of the people, protecting their rights and striving for the political and economic empowerment of the masses.
The prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion, included Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, Vice President Usman Majid, General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Media Advisor Farooq Andrabi, Chairman DDC Srinagar and party’s Provincial Secretary Aftab Malik, party’s Coordinator north Kashmir Fazal Beigh, Provincial President for the Women Wing Dilshada Shaheen, District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh, and others.
The political leaders, workers, and activists from the Pattan constituency who joined Apni Party included Bashir Ahmad Wani, Mohammad Yaqoob Sheikh, Mohammad Maqbool, Mohammad Ashraf, Irshad Ahmad, Mohammad Ashraf, and others. The party in charge of the Pattan constituency, Javaid Iqbal, organized the joining of these new entrants.
