Ganderbal, May 08: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday accused the regional parties of exploiting the people of J&K for over seven decades.
His remarks took aim particularly at the evolution of the Muslim Conference into the National Conference, which he claims was influenced by directives from Delhi.
Highlighting the transition from the Muslim Conference to the National Conference in 1931, Bukhari asserted that Delhi’s intervention rebranded the party as a “National Conference” entity, erasing its roots as a representative of Kashmiri Muslims. He criticised current leaders, accusing them of now labelling his party as the “B Team” of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Apni Party Chief was addressing a mega rally in the Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district to support his Lok Sabha elections candidate for the Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Mohd Ashraf Mir.
“Our primary goal is the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” Bukhari said in his address. He questioned why crucial projects like the Ganderbal power project remained incomplete under previous governments.
“Political interests hindered progress,” he said and vowed that under his party’s governance, such projects would be expedited for the benefit of local residents.
The former minister also criticised the conduct surrounding the Amarnath Yatra, alleging that a select few benefit while labourers associated with the yatra receive inadequate benefits.
Bukhari also addressed concerns about property rights in Sonamarg, where he claimed that outsiders received preferential treatment for hotel construction over local residents.
He promised 500 units of free electricity to households in Jammu and Kashmir if his party secured governance. He also highlighted his party’s efforts in releasing incarcerated youth.
