Pledges to work for holistic development of JK
SHAH KHALID/ IRSHAD FAYAZ
SRINAGAR, Mar 8: Former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday launched a new political party called ‘Jammu Kashmir Apni Party’ here at his residence in Sheikh Bagh in the heart of city.
With an aim of providing relief to people who have been facing uncertainty and hardship since August 5 last year, Bukhari said that the party shall work for socio-economic and political aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile this was the first such kind of political activity in Jammu and Kashmir after August 5 last year when the Centre government scrapped the special status erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating same into two Union Territories.
While briefing the media during the maiden press conference during the party launch Bukhari said “I believe that it is a place where you can serve people to the best of your abilities”. He further said that that the people of Kashmir have faced a tough time since 90s as only death and destruction has been there fate. Now it is the time to bring a political venture for them. In reply to a question Bukhari said that the main moto of his party is to focus on development of the UT.
Bukhari, 60 has a degree in agriculture sciences and is counted as one among the business tycoons of North India. He was joined by politicians from various other parties including the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress and BJP.
The prominent politicians who have joined Bukhari led Apni Party are Vijay Bakaya, Rafi Mir, Usman Majid, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Javaid Hussain Beg, Dilawar Mir, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Choudhary Zulfikar, Ashraf Mir, Noor Mohammad, Zaffar Manhas, Abdul Majeed Padder, Abdul Rahim Rather, Yawar Mir, Manjeet Singh and Vikram Malhotra.
The party is proposed to take on regional outfits like NC and PDP whose party presidents and senior leaders are under detention and booked under controversial Public Safety Act. Meanwhile the political activity carried out by the former minister is first political activity of its kind since August 5. While briefing the media people Bukhari said “ the party will work for the wellbeing of people of J&K including the political leaders, activists and other people who are currently under detention in and outside the UT.
Replying to a question on need for launching this party Bukhari said that our aim is to bring relief to people only showing them achievable dreams and not a mirage. Regarding the Special status and statehood, he said that the matter is in the Apex Court and we should wait for the judgment and then look forward for the next step. He further added that his party will work for return of statehood and domicile in jobs and education sector.
On replying to a question regarding Kashmir issue he said “every political leader here is a stake holder in Kashmir issue as the main aim of our party is to facilitate the resolution of Kashmir issue . he further added ours is humble initiative not to become a hurdle in way of other political alternatives, if they can deliver better.
According to sources the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is supposed to be going for assembly polls in October 2020. However the former finance and R&B Minister had won the last assembly elections from Amira Kadal constituency by defeating national conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani in 2014.
Sources revealed to Kashmir Despatch that Bukhari led party’s manifesto shall be people oriented who he considers as a real repository of power. A member of the party told Kashmir Despatch that the party’s main aim is to put all efforts together and never shy away to work jointly for the interests of people of Jammu Kashmir.
