Elect Zafar Manhas to defeat ‘divisive forces’: Bukhari in Rajouri

RAJOURI: Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Monday asked people to defeat the “divisive agenda” promoted by the two dynastic political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, saying their “politics of hate” has promoted regional bias, detention of youth, underdevelopment, and unemployment in the Pir Panjal region for the last seven decades.
Speaking at a public rally in Rajouri, Bukhari sought votes and support in favour of the party candidate contesting from the Rajouri–Anantnag parliamentary seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas.
In his address, he said that the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party promoted the dynastic regime in Jammu and Kashmir whereas the common man continues to suffer with the lack of basic amenities, underdevelopment, and growing unemployment.
“These parties exploited the people by creating a wedge between them in the name of region or religion. However, it did not benefit the people. The time has come when the people should come forward and elect Zafar Iqbal Manhas Sahab to the Rajouri–Anantnag Parliament seat for their bright future,” he said.
He said that the Apni Party is committed to providing equal opportunity to all the people irrespective of caste, creed, region or religion. “It’s not about electing a Member of Parliament, but it would be a step towards ending the underdevelopment and bringing prosperity for the future generation,” he said, assuring the people that he would ensure that the people of Rajouri get their due share in development.
While criticising the NC and PDP, he said, “They have restored to their old tactics to create division among the people on the name of region and caste to gain votes. However, the people have become aware, and it would not be easy for them to get any kind of benefit from the people.”
Questioning the silence of the NC on the eviction and harassment of the tribal community in Jammu’s plain areas, Bukhari accused this of using the Gujjars as their vote banks. “They did not utter a word against the harassment and eviction of the tribals from their land in Samba in Jammu Province,” he said. He also grilled the NC for not providing protection to the tribal community and other dwellers under the Forest Rights Act when they were in rule in the last many years in J&K.
While explaining the policy of the party, he said that they believe in the unity and equality of the people from all the regions. They want to give a bright future to the young generation.
Accusing the regional parties (NC-PDP) of promoting mayhem in Jammu and Kashmir, he said that these parties had put the youth behind bars whenever they ruled Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, he raised his concern about the misuse of powers to detain youths and elders under the Public Safety Act (PSA), unfair FIRs, and initiation of verifications. “We want to end the harassment of the common masses and release of the detained youth,” he added.
In his address, he also raised a question mark on the breakup of the PAGD because of a clash of interests between the NC and PDP.
Meanwhile, he assured that the issue of two tunnel construction at Peer Ki Gali and Dera Ke Gali on historic Mughal Road would be taken up by the party candidate, if he gets elected.
Referring to the statehood restoration, he sought the support of the people to ensure that the “lost honour” of Jammu and Kashmir is restored.
The party’s candidate from the Rajouri–Anantnag seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas said if he gets elected to the Parliament, he will leave no stone unturned to get a separate Parliamentary seat for Rajouri–Poonch and Hill Development Council on the pattern of Ladakh for overall development of the region.