Politics rooted in exploitation must end in J&K, says Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, Apr 25: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday said that the politics rooted in rhetoric, exploitation and manipulation must end in Jammu and Kashmir. He appealed to people to reject the “deceptive and exploitative” traditional parties and their leaders in the imminent polling for the Lok Sabha elections.
Apni Party President was addressing a public rally in the Khansahib area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district. The rally was a part of the party’s ongoing election campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Taking a dig at the traditional political parties and their leaders, Altaf Bukhari said, “I fail to understand how these parties muster the courage to come to the people seeking votes. In 2019, they urged people to vote for them to help protect Article 370 and 35A. People believed them and made their candidates win. But when the testing time came on August 5, 2019, these so-called public representatives did not even bother to talk or protest against the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. At least these MPs could have resigned to protest the abrogation. Now, they are again coming to people seeking votes. Why should people vote for the same parties who have deceived them again and again over the years and decades?”
He appealed to people to reject the traditional parties and their leaders in the imminent polls, He said, “I request you to use the power of your vote to put an end to their exploitative politics. Don’t allow them to deceive you yet again through fake promises and emotional sloganeering.”
The Apni Party president termed Home Minister Ami Shah’s recent statement an eye-opener, in which he alleged that parties like NC, PDP, and Congress were responsible for killings in fake encounters in the past. He said, “Although we already had an idea of how ruthless these traditional political parties and their leaders can be in pursuit of power and political gains, the revelation by none other than the Home Minister of the country serves as an eye-opener for all.”
Bukhari promised that when the party secures a mandate in both parliamentary and assembly polls, it will ensure to eradicate all the major issues afflicting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “We have a lot to do. Hundreds of our youngsters are still in jail, and we have to get them back to their families. We have to create employment opportunities for our youth. We have to restore statehood to J&K. We have to ensure that the people of Jammu and Kashmir receive all the rights guaranteed by the country’s constitution to every citizen. We have to ensure the political and economic empowerment of the people.”
Altaf Bukhari promised the people of Budgam that once the Apni Party comes to power, it will develop several tourist destinations, including the Tosa Maidan meadow, to create new employment opportunities. He also promised that the Apni Party will provide 500 units of electricity free to every household once the party comes to power.