Urges people to give a chance to Apni Party to form majority Govt in J&K
JAMMU, AUGUST 20 (KNS): Apni Party President Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister for the issuance of prompt clarification that no voter from outside J&K has been included in the electoral list, but the youth of J&K who had attained the age of 18-years were added in the electoral rolls.
Addressing a huge public gathering at Janipur following the inauguration of election office of Apni Party during a programme organized by Spokesperson of the Party and Senior Advocate, Nirmal Singh Kotwal, Altaf Bukhari said that the opening of the election office in Jammu North shows the serious approach of Party leaders in Jammu including Rural and Urban Presidents who work tirelessly for the strengthening of the Party and they have taken initiative with the support from Jammu’s leadership.
On this occasion, many people, especially advocates joined Apni Party and prominent among those include Retired Registrar from University of Jammu, Sardar Moti Singh, Adv Adv Anu Parshar, Adv Sachin Razdan, Adv Manpreet Singh, Adv Nabeen Dutt, Adv Amit Manhas, Adv Akshay Gupta, Adv Amardeep and others. Altaf Bukhari welcomed them into the Party fold, and hoped that their joining would strengthen the Party.
Referring to the controversy on voting rights to outsiders, he expressed shock at how an attempt as a part of a conspiracy was made to fuel the peaceful situation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lauding the immediate response of the Govt of India, he said, “Apni Party immediately reacted to the conspiracy. We held a press conference and appealed to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister which compelled the Govt of India to issue a clarification that no outsider has been added in the electoral rolls, but the eligible youth from J&K who have attained the age of 18-years were added in the election list.”
He said that a Govt officer irresponsibly issued a statement in a press conference that 25 lakhs new voters from outside J&K would be eligible to participate in upcoming assembly elections and it sparked massive outrage in Kashmir as well as in Jammu.
“The matter was very serious as it was against the wishes of the people of J&K. The Apni Party immediately condemned it. Our appeal forced the Govt of India to issue a clarification to end the speculations and rumor mongering,” he added.
While appreciating the Jammu Dogras for their hospitality towards the displaced persons, he said that, “When we come to Jammu, we get a sigh of relief as Jammu continues to accommodate the displaced people from Kashmir and other parts of Jammu Region who were affected due to militancy or other reasons in the last 32 years. These people were displaced and forced to abandon their homes because of the unstable situation in their respective areas.”
He congratulated and appreciated the people of Jammu for welcoming the people from Kashmir with open hands whether they were KPs, Muslims or others.
“Jammu people stood up like a rock for their Kashmiri brothers. Jammu is a symbol of humanity and secularism when the whole of Kashmir was burning,” he said.
He further said that, “When Kashmiri people were suspected due to militancy in Kashmir, Jammu’s Dogras did not discriminate against them. They always were treated like brothers. Kashmiri Pandits were displaced from Kashmir and they too came to Jammu like Muslim families and Jammu became their second home. Similarly, the families from parts of Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, and other places migrated to Jammu and were similarly welcomed by the Dogras.”
“I acknowledge that Jammu has shown its big heart towards the people who faced trouble at their native places, but were given a peaceful and protected atmosphere by the Dogras,” he said.
While referring to the emerging political situation due to which people are suffering in J&K, he said that, “I am not a professional politician but a simple fellow citizen of the country like others. However, we want to work for the welfare of the people. We get good wishes from the people by addressing their basic issues like electricity, drinking water facility etc., as it gives us satisfaction.”
As the other traditional political parties have befooled the people of J&K, he asked the people of J&K to give a chance to the Apni Party to form a majority Govt in J&K.
“With the formation of our Govt, you will witness a difference. You will forget BJP, Congress, NC, and PDP. They have exploited the people for the sake of power,” he said.
He further said that, “These traditional political parties have put J&K on boil by widening rifts among the people on the name of religion, region, and other reasons. But they did nothing for the welfare of the people. BJP’s claim about development is hollow and misleading. Hence, they are issuing advice to strengthen their false claim which does not exist on the ground.”
He said that the LG Govt is not legitimate to continue rule in J&K as it has not been elected by the people.
“LG rule can’t be termed as legitimate rule,” he added while speaking at a public meeting following the inauguration of Apni Party’s Election Office at Janipur.
“We are witnessing the working of the BJP as the party is ruling both in J&K as well as in the Centre but it could not do justice with the people of the historic state. Tell me what they have done for J&K which could not happen in the last 75 years? Blacktopping of the roads and tile work in the lanes is not happening for the first time, it is happening from all these years even without BJP,” he said.
He said that they did not see the job aspirants sitting on the roads and holding protests in Jammu seeking employment.
“It was unfortunate that the list of Finance Account Assistant (FAA) is being cancelled and it has disheartened all of us. Similarly, J&K Police’s Sub Inspectors, Border Battalions, BSF, Daily Wagers, Rehbar-e-Khel, BSF/CISF, 10 plus two lecturers and others are also on the roads. For how long, you will harass the educated youth and continue with the practice of unfair recruitment processes,” he added.
He said that, “There was a decision in the previous Govt to regularize the daily wagers, but nothing was done to fulfill the promises made with these daily wagers. These politicians have made the people suffer. How can you dare to come before the people of Jammu while claiming to be the lone champion of Jammu? BJP has given nothing to Jammu even after coming to power after 2014.”
“Within 24 hours of assembly polls, they formed a coalition Govt with the PDP,” he reacted to the failures of BJP and said that “The slogans of autonomy and self-rule were given by Delhi to the NC and PDP to continue divisive politics. They fuel the situation to keep the peaceful atmosphere in J&K disturbed,” he said.
He said that, “BJP has snatched our 200 years old identity and downgraded it into a small tiny Union Territory by dividing it into two UTs. What right did they have to create division in J&K? If revoking of Art 370 and Art 35A was in the agenda of BJP, can you tell us whose agenda was implemented by downgrading the historic state of Dogras. Which are those powers whom you want to please by downgrading J&K? Are they from outside? Whether this type of treatment is being done with the J&K which is considered the crown of the country?
However, following the unimaginable incident of August 5, 2019 when the entire J&K was put under restrictions, we came out for the sake of the public as no one was ready to raise the voice of the general masses, he added.
He said that “March 31, 2020, in the first setback to the people of J&K, this BJP opened jobs for the rest of the country and reserved 4th class for the youth of J&K. A candidate from Bihar applied for the job in J&K High Court and we were the first to come forward and oppose the move compelling the central Govt to take back the decision and reserve jobs for the people of J&K within 24 hours although we were not given a mandate by the people. We highlighted public issues because we work for the welfare of the people.”
He criticized the claims of the Govt of providing employment to the youth of J&K and the industry sector. “Where are those jobs?,” he added.
If the people who are making these announcements have to contest elections in J&K or we have to contest it. He said that the Govt that only the people of Jammu and Kashmir will contest the elections, participate in elections and form their own Govt.
“Today we compelled the Govt of India to take back the decision following a conspiracy hatched in Kashmir to fuel the peaceful situation. We appealed to the PM and UHM. How can outsiders vote in assembly polls of J&K when it is not in the constitution of the country? However, I thank the Prime Minister of India and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, who timely clarified that “these are the people who have attained 18 years of age, but not the outsiders. And, no voter from outside will be entered.”
However, the other political parties are enjoying it. “What you achieve through All Party Meetings even when Art 370 and Art 35A still existed in J&K? Despite that you lost everything.
However, the Apni Party struggled and forced the Govt to ensure reservation of jobs and land for the local residents which was also protected in Art 370 and Art 35A.
“Our people have given supreme sacrifices in Rajouri, Suchetgarh, Uri Karnah, RS Pura, Kathua and Samba for the country. You cannot teach us nationalism which is in our hearts. Our sacrifices are incomparable still you snatched our special status to fulfill your political ambition. For how long, you will continue to postpone elections. We know BJP, Congress Party, NC and PDP are hands in glove with each other to keep the assembly elections postponed as the situation is not suitable for them. However, the Apni Party and Altaf Bukhari will continue to fight for the rights of the people. We represent the general masses without discrimination.
He asked the people of Jammu to strengthen the Party by supporting its leaders in elections and said that the people of Kashmir are fed up with the violence and they want to shun the violence and adopt a peaceful way of living.
Meanwhile, he said that J&K is facing a major threat from drugs and asked the people to come out against the drug addiction. He also condemned the innocent people in Kashmir.
“The officer tried to fuel the situation, but we appealed to the Govt not to force the youth of J&K to come on the roads and hence, they have given clarification,” he said.
Prominent among those who were present in the party programme include Provincial President, Jammu, Manjit Singh, Provincial Vice President Jammu, Ex-MLA Faqir Nath, Additional State General Secretary (organization), Arun Chibber, District President Kathua Ex-MLA Prem Lal, Provincial Secretary / District President Jammu Urban, Dr Rohit Gupta, District President Jammu Urban, Pushap Dev Uppal, State President Apni Trade Union, Ajaz Kazmi, State Coordinator OBC, Madan Lal Chalotra, State Vice President Youth Wing, Raqeeq Ahmed Khan, State General Secretary Youth Wing, Abhay Bakaya, State Coördinator Youth Outreach and Capacity Building Program, Tariq Mohiuddin, Provincial President Jammu Youth Wing Vipul Bali, State Coordinator Youth Wing, Sunny Kant Chib, Provincial President Jammu Legal Cell, Vikram Rathore, Provincial President Trade Union, Raj Kumar Sharma, Provincial President OBC Wing, Sohan Singh Sony, District Vice President Jammu Urban, Vaibhav Mattoo, Provincial President Student Union, Apni Party, Anuj Manhas, Provincial Secretary Youth, Vishal Jotshi, Senior Vice President Legal Cell, Amjad Khan, Vice President Legal Cell, Zulkar Nain, Provincial Secretary Trade Union, Sheikh Latief, Provincial Secretary Legal Cell, Om Singh Bandral, Executive Member Legal Cell, Rajinder Thakur, Provincial Secretary, Suhail Khajuria, District President Trade Union, Anirudh Vasist, Senior Vice president Youth Wing, Sandeep Vaid, Provincial Vice President Jammu Youth Wing, Abhinav Gupta, District Secretary Orgnaisation Youth Wing, Archana Koul, and others.(KNS)