Srinagar, Sept 13: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday took a dig at the traditional parties like National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying these parties have always “falsely” labelled their political opponents as “proxies” of the Centre or the ruling parties, merely to defame them.
“These parties overlook the fact that their leaders have been Delhi’s true proxies since 1947,” Bukhari said while talking to media persons during his public outreach campaign in the Chanapora constituency.
He was responding to a question about NC vice president Omar Abdullah’s accusation against Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief Engineer Rashid who is on interim bail.
Bukhari said, “Every leader or party that opposes traditional parties like the NC and PDP is accused of being a proxy of New Delhi. Someone should remind the NC that it was their leadership that handed Kashmir over to Delhi, and that too without seeking the consent of the people.”
“Even the PDP, when established in 1989, was believed to have the patronage of then Minister of Home Affairs L.K. Advani. It was often referred to as Advani’s party,” he added.
Reiterating his commitments, Altaf Bukhari said that Apni Party, if elected to power, is committed to releasing the detainees and announcing a general amnesty for the youth facing charges.
He assured the people of his home constituency, Chanapora, that he will not let them down if they elected him to represent them in the assembly. “I assure you that I will not let you down, disappoint you, or make you feel embarrassed for voting and supporting me in these assembly elections. I will serve the people of my constituency in an exemplary way, as I have a clear vision for ensuring high-quality development in this constituency and for the prosperity and well-being of its people.”
He added, “Unlike many traditional politicians, I believe in truthfulness and straightforwardness. I am a God-fearing person with strong faith in the Day of Judgment. Therefore, I will neither mislead you with false promises and empty slogans nor deceive you with emotional rhetoric. You can trust me with your mandate, and I will remain true to my commitments.”