‘We secured job, land protection after 2019’
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 28: Apni Party Chief and former Minister Altaf Bukhari said today that the party is wary of alliances, noting that they negatively affect the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are scared of alliances; alliances negatively affect the people in J&K. Through alliances, these parties believe they can resort to the bloodshed of the people, breaking the promises and aspirations of the people,” he said.
He mentioned that people have had a “bad experience” with the alliances formed in J&K over the years, reiterating that the Apni Party is not part of any alliance for the Assembly elections.
“We are not part of any alliance; we are not supporting anyone, and we are not receiving support from anyone. The fact is, we have had a bad experience with the 1987 alliance with Congress, as well as in 2014 when the PDP and BJP joined hands for power,” Bukhari said.
He was speaking to the media during canvassing in Rawalpora, which he has been doing in his Assembly constituency, Chanapora, for the last several days, informing people about the party’s agenda and manifesto.
“People are the real kings. They elect leaders through their votes. I am urging people to vote for us based on our performance, especially what we have done after 2019,” he said.
He emphasized that the Apni Party is the only party that secured the protection of land and jobs after 2019.
“We also got 3,000 people released. We will ensure that the harassment faced by youngsters is stopped if we come to power; we will ensure a general amnesty. Widow and old-age pensions will be increased to Rs 5,000, and unemployed youngsters will also receive a stipend.”
Bukhari said that it has been the Governments formed in J&K since 1996 that have caused the youth to be in jails, be summoned to police stations, and have their verifications left pending.
“It is those Governments formed since 1996—whether NC under Dr. Farooq, Mufti Sayeed, Omar, or Mehbooba. It is the FIRs registered during their tenure under which these youngsters are now facing hardships,” he said.
“These parties should be ashamed of what they have done. They always promised to quash these FIRs but never did.”
The Apni Party chief also spoke about the criteria for the general amnesty that will be granted if they come to power.