Thousands attend AP rally in Srinagar
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 12: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today demanded the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and immediate holding of Assembly elections.
Bukhari said this while addressing the biggest rally held by any party in Srinagar post abrogation of Article 370 & 35(A) at Sher-e-Kashmir Park.
“The key purpose of organising this huge public gathering is to urge GoI to restore the Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and hold Assembly elections without any further delay. On this occasion, we want to remind the Government that it is committed to restoring J&K’s Statehood,” he said.
He said that the people have been deeply wounded and they feel disempowered post August 5, 2019. “To give them some solace this convention demands immediate restoration of Statehood that existed till the day of August 5, in 2019,” he added.
Bukhari demanded holding of Assembly polls on priority basis so that people are empowered.
“Also, we demand holding of Assembly polls as soon as possible so that people, who have been rendered politically disempowered, would be able to elect their own representatives to run the affairs in J&K. Electing their own representatives is people’s right and they should not be deprived of this right anymore. Having an elected government in place will give people a sense of political and administrative empowerment, and this is how democracies work,” he said.
He said Apni Party believes in the politics of truth and integrity. “We do not believe in deceptive politics; thus, we do not make false promises to the people. We have promised people that we will ensure peace, prosperity, and development of J&K, and the political and economic empowerment of its people. We will keep striving to achieve these goals and we know these goals are achievable,” he added.
The AP chief said that his party will never try to allure our youngsters through emotional slogans and fake promises. “The deceptive politics has already taken a toll on our youngsters in terms of landing many of them either in jails or in graveyards over the years,” he added.
“Apni party wants a peaceful and prosperous future for our youth. I assure you that we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure a promising future for your young population,” he said.
“If we get a mandate, will take initiative to enhance the potential of agriculture, horticulture, and tourism sectors, besides boosting the industry here so that we will have more and more job opportunities for the youth,” he said.
Bukhari said that J&K has seen enough of violence and bloodshed during the past more than three decades, can’t afford further destruction and deaths here. “Our youth is our asset, and we cannot allow them to fall prey to mindless violence anymore. We can achieve everything which is important for the better future of J&K people, through peaceful means. Therefore, I request youngsters to say no to everything that brings misery”, he added.
He said that his party will form a committee to pursue the cases of the prisoners for their release. “We have decided that we will form a committee to look into the case of the boys who are behind the bars. We will go to the Government to urge their release so that they can live peaceful and normal life. They must be given a chance even if they have committed some mistakes in the past. We will try to take their parents and the Mohala elders on board to ensure these young boys start a normal life with their families once they are free from the prisons,” he added.
Bukhari said that his party will strive for the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A through courts. However, he made it clear that no J&K Government will have the capacity or power to get these constitutional Articles restored.
“Only Supreme Court has the power to get these abrogated laws restored back. Please do not fall prey to the traditional political parties and their leaders who falsely promise you that they will restore Articles 370 and 35A once they get elected. They are befooling you for their electoral gains. Earlier, they would come to you with fake promises of getting Autonomy and self-rule for you. Now, they will allure you with the false promises of getting Article 370 back. Be aware and tell them enough is enough”, he added.
Earlier, thousands of people arrived at SK stadium in Srinagar to participate in the rally. The rally led to huge traffic jams in parts of Srinagar.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
