JAMMU, JULY 17, 2023(KNS): Apni Party President, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari has said that his party represents aspiration of all the regions in Jammu and Kashmir.

While speaking at a joining programme here at Apni Party Office in Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, Altaf Bukhari said the people from all faiths have extended support to the party’s policy and agenda of peace, and equitable development.  

Apni Party Provincial President Jammu, S. Manjit Singh and other leaders were also present on the occasion. The programme was organized by Women Wing Provincial President, Jammu, Pavneet Kour.

Sarpanch, Hans Raj, Tripata Devi, Manoj Kumar, Taranjit Singh, Rakesh Mahajan, Choudhary Yashpal Singh, Satpal Sandotra, Sapna Devi, Balvinder Kumar, Dalbir Singh, Parmeet Singh, Inderpal Singh, Sardar Rajinder Singh, Subash Chander, Sourav Singh, and others who joined Apni Party in presence of Altaf Bukhari sahab and other leaders of Apni Party.

While welcoming the new entrants into the party, Bukhari hoped that their joining would strengthen the party at the ground level. Many people who joined the Apni Party belong to different political parties.

“The policy and agenda of development and unity among the people has widely been accepted by the people of Jammu as well as of Kashmir. The people from all the communities, sections, and areas are joining Apni Party with a hope that their suffering will end. These people supported the traditional political parties, but they tried to create division between the two regions, and the people,” he said.

He said that the Apni Party believes in equitable development, unity and equality in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The traditional political parties exploited the people of both the regions to garner votes from them and return to power. These regional as well as national political parties misused the vote bank of people for their personal gains, and the plight of people remained unchanged for more than seven decades,” he said.

He said that it was due to the policy of divide and rule that these political parties got exposed before the people and lost their trust among the people.

“These political parties are not able to face the people in the elections. As there was a political vacuum, the Apni Party came into being to represent the people when others preferred to remain silent on serious issues, but always tried to create division between Jammu and Kashmir regions. We denounce any kind of divisive agenda. Therefore, Apni Party’s acceptance has increased among the people in all the regions, and all sections of society,” he added.

He said that “As J&K is passing through a difficult phase where elections have not been held for the last several years, and there is no elected Govt in place. The feeling of alienation is growing among the people. Both the regions seek holding of early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“The bureaucracy is working in a wayward manner without considering public opinion. The sentiments of the people are against the administration and Govt officials who fail to work as per the demands of the people. The ignorance of public issues and growing unemployment in J&K has led to the feeling of despair among the people that needs to be addressed by holding assembly elections because an elected Govt is answerable to people,” he further stated.

He further said that “Besides holding elections, the Statehood must be restored to J&K. The downgrading of a historic state of Jammu and Kashmir has not been accepted by the people irrespective of regions. Therefore, the public sentiments must be considered, and the statehood must be restored as early as possible.”

He also demanded that Jammu has suffered due to the interference of non-locals in getting contracts of mining, and other trade that was being run by the locals in Jammu plains.

“The grab of jobs, and contracts from the locals by the non-locals has become a serious cause of concern for the people in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, and districts of Chenab Valley,” he said.

He said that the Apni Party is committed to defend the rights of the locals and no one will be allowed to snatch employment or resources from the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“If Apni Party forms the next Govt in J&K, we are committed to work for the people of both the region and protect their rights,” he added.

He, however, appreciated the Jammu provincial team, all frontal heads, wings, and cells for their work due to which the Apni Party’s base in Jammu region has gained strength in all the districts.

Meanwhile, he said that the decision of J&K Govt to allot 5 marla land to landless people under PMAY (G) scheme beneficiaries is a welcome step. However, similar benefits should be given to the urban landless people residing in Jammu Municipal Corporation and Srinagar Municipal Corporation limits.

“These landless people in urban areas should also get the benefit of the Govt scheme and accordingly, the Govt should allot them 5 marla of plots in urban areas with a motive to provide land to the homeless families,” he said.  

In this joining programme, S. Manjit Singh said that the people have endorsed the policy and agenda of Apni Party and informed that the party has increased its activities to make people aware of policy and agenda of the party.

He said that the Apni Party’s campaign across the Jammu region has gained support because no other political party speaks on public issues.

“We will not compromise on the issues of the people. the Apni Party believes in telling the truth to the people,” he added.

On this occasion, district presidents, frontal heads, trade union, wings, and cell heads were present.(KNS).