Srinagar, Apr 30: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday said the parties like the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party lack the legitimacy to seek votes from the people in the ongoing parliamentary polls. He said the performance of their sitting MPs has been “shamefully poor” over the past five years, especially regarding the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
Addressing the party’s public rally at Gouripora Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, he urged people to “relegate these parties to their rightful status” by rejecting them through the power of their votes.
Bukhari said, “In the last parliamentary elections in 2019, parties like NC and PDP sought votes from the people, promising that they would protect Article 370 and 35A in the parliament. People trusted their commitment and elected NC’s candidates in all three seats in the valley. The PDP also had two members in the Rajya Sabha. However, when the testing time came on August 5, 2019, these so-called public representatives chose to remain silent on the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. At the very least, they should have resigned in protest against the abrogation of these articles. Furthermore, throughout their five-year tenure, these MPs have neither spoken a word in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir nor have they done anything to bring economic dividends to the people. Even after these failures, these parties shamelessly come to the people yet again to seek votes. They no longer have the legitimacy to seek votes from the people.”
He urged people to reject these parties through the power of their votes. He said, “You must show these deceptive parties their right place by denying your vote to them.”
Bukhari said the Apni Party is committed to ensuring that religious organisations in Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to fulfill their social and religious obligations without any hindrance. “We strongly believe that these organizations play a crucial role in eliminating societal evils. For instance, the ongoing drug menace poses a significant challenge to our society, and religious organisations have a pivotal role to play in combating this menace,” he said.
Terming the day when Article 370 and 35A were abrogated as a “black day”, the Apni Party chief said, “I have no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir is destined to be an integral part of the country, and it will always remain so. But having said that, I strongly believe that August 5, 2019, was undoubtedly a black day for the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, New Delhi has repeatedly hurt the sentiments of the people of J&K. Yet, I believe that the solution to our problems will also come from Delhi, not from somewhere else.”
He added, “We are grappling with so many problems and issues, which can only be resolved with the help of the Central government. Once the Apni Party receives the public mandate, it will ensure that New Delhi helps us overcome these miseries.”
