Kulgam, Mar 09: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday said the foundation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) was built on “untruths” and, as a result, it “got exposed”.
Addressing the media persons on the sidelines of the Apni Party convention in Devsar, Kulgam, Bukhari said, “There is indeed normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir, and those who claim otherwise are enemies of the region.”
“If we don’t call this normalcy, then what else shall we call it? Do you still have doubts? These are the enemies of Jammu & Kashmir who claim it is a fake normalcy. There is indeed a normalcy, and people have wholeheartedly embraced the path of peace without any coercion,” he said.
Responding to a question about the PAGD, Bukhari said, “Whom should we have a coalition with? There is no coalition of truth and falsehood. We are truthful people, and we don’t find anyone truthful among them (PAGD leaders).”
He said the responsibility for the PAGD’s weakening lies with the foundation of “untruthfulness” of those who were part of it. “Their aim was to conceal their weaknesses. Today, they stand exposed,” he said.
The Apni Party chief added, “Although the PAGD was initially seen as a pillar of hope, it was built on falsehoods; and people’s hopes were shattered when the alliance leaders split. The leaders of the Gupkar alliance have taken the people of Kashmir for granted.”
“We have to obtain whatever we can from New Delhi, and I won’t deceive the people by promising anything from elsewhere. The real question is whether we can secure anything for ourselves or the people. Those in power for the past 75 years have only served their own interests. People should give us a chance for the next five years, and we will demonstrate how we can procure benefits for the people from New Delhi,” he said.
Altaf Bukhari said the Gupkar alliance has been “dissolved” ahead of the elections. People should question them about who instructed them to dissolve the PAGD, he said, adding that he refused to be part of the alliance knowing it was built on “falsehoods”.
He said people welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kashmir wholeheartedly, not under duress, as they wanted to demonstrate their commitment to peace. “In return, the PM should address issues like statehood and the return of Kashmiri Pandits. He should also consider holding Assembly elections concurrently with Parliament elections,” he stressed.
The gathering was also addressed by Rafi Ahmad Mir, General Secretary; Abdul Majeed Padder, Hilal Ahmad Shah; Reyaz Ahmad and others.
