Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 6: Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari, today, said that Jammu and Kashmir was destined to be a part of India in 1947 when the leaders at that time decided so.
He made this remark while addressing an event at the party headquarters in Srinagar. The event organized by the party’s senior leader and former Mayor of Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu, aimed to welcome prominent political and social leaders from Srinagar’s Zadibal constituency. The new entrants included Hakim Shoaib Sajad, Tabish Pathan, and Hakim Burhan, who joined the party along with their supporters. The party president and other esteemed leaders gave a warm welcome to the new entrants.
Altaf Bukhari reiterated the party’s agenda and said, “Post August 2019, when the entire Jammu and Kashmir was in chaos and extreme uncertainty, and people were apprehensive that there could be demographic change and this region would even lose its identity, we established Apni Party to stand by our people. It was a conscious and well-thought-out decision by all of us. We are committed and dedicated to protecting the rights of the people.”
Taking a dig at the traditional political parties, the Apni Party President said, “Until just a few years ago, traditional political parties and their leaders would talk in a different tune and tenor, leading people to unachievable goals through emotional sloganeering. But, just a few years down the line, they say what we decided while launching the Apni Party.”
Reaffirming his conviction, Altaf Bukhari said, “In 1947, the then leadership had a choice to accede with either India or Pakistan. They decided to be with India. That day, J&K was destined to be a part and parcel of the country, and it will remain so forever.”
Speaking on the occasion, Junaid Azim Mattu assured the new entrants that Apni Party would provide them ample opportunities to serve the people in their respective areas and work for the overall well-being of the masses in Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Junaid Azim Mattu, the prominent party leaders who were present on the occasion included the party’s General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Chief Spokesperson and State Secretary Muntazir Mohiuddin, District President Srinagar Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Provincial President for the party’s Youth Wing Khalid Rathore, Provincial President of Youth Wing Imran Bhat, party In charge for Zadibal Constituency Mastrat Zaildar, and others.