Apni Party Vice President, Zafar Iqbal Manhas today held that the traditional political parties were responsible for the suffering of the people because they were deprived of real democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley from the last seven decades.
As per the press release, Zafar Iqbal Manhas addressed a public gathering here at Imam Sahib in Shopian District of South Kashmir during election campaign for Anantnag–Rajouri Lok Sabha Constituency as candidate of the Party.
The public meeting was attended by the large numbers of people from cross sections of society whereas the party leaders, and workers were also present.
While highlighting the policy of equitable development in all the regions of the valley, he pointed out the constant suffering of the people in Kashmir especially in remote and hilly areas for the last seven decades.
“The traditional political parties ruled Jammu and Kashmir turn by turn by misleading the people with the hollow slogans and promises which were hardly fulfilled. Their agenda of divisive politics was also responsible for hurting the peaceful atmosphere, the trade activities and tourism sector,” he recalled how the traditional parties emotionally exploited the people to achieve their political goals.
He asked the people to extend their vote and support to him and his Party so that the aspirations of the people could be represented in a true sense in the Parliament of India.
The democratic system provided ample opportunities to the parties to work for the people, but the traditional parties did not pay heed to the suffering of the people which ultimately gave rise to multiple issues, he added.
Accusing the parties of resorting to dictatorial tactics, he alleged that these parties came into politics with a slogan to strengthen the democracy and its institutions in J&K. However, these parties and their leaders gradually started oppressing their political opponents by denying participation in elections or holding public meetings.
“The people were put either in jails or forced to cross the border to live a life in exile by these traditional parties when they were in rule in J&K. Hence, the situation turned from bad to worse in Kashmir valley because of the non-serious approach and divisive agenda of these parties in the wake of their leaders craving for power,” he recalled.
Under these circumstances, he said the situation remained difficult in Kashmir valley because of the insensitive approach of the politicians from the traditional parties.
While explaining the mission of the Apni Party, he said that the Party wants to bring back the peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir by restoring the confidence of the people in the Govt and the democratic institutions.
For this, he appealed to the people to vote and support the Apni Party in the scheduled elections for the Lok Sabha so that their longstanding issues can be redressed.
Earlier, he discussed various developmental, trade related, unemployment, educational, and other issues in detail with the people, and assured them full support from the Party.
He said that the Party wants to bring positive change in Jammu and Kashmir without exploiting emotions of the people.
“Our mission is to do realistic politics and tell the truth to the people without misleading or dividing them on the name of regions, or religion,” he added.(KNS)
