Not against PAGD but their ‘lies’: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar, November 23, 2020 : President of Apni Party, Syed Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that his party is not against the newly formed People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), but the lies alliance is spreading.

While addressing party workers, Bukhari said that “The solution to Kashmir issue lies only with India and its leadership including Prime Minister and Home Minister. Everything else is a lie.”

“We cannot take the Kashmir issue to London. We just have to go to the Prime Minister of India, the only man who can solve our issue,” he said.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) Correspondent, Bukhari while talking to the media persons on the sidelines of party convention in Bandipora, said that the issue of Article 370 is currently subjudice and “we wish and pray that the top court of India will give the verdict, which would accommodate the aspirations of people here.”

He said Apni Party was not the B team of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), adding that “it is unfortunate that those who were in bonhomie with BJP in the previous regime in J&K and at present in Kargil are leveling allegations against us.”

About the formation of PAGD, Bukhari said Apni Party was not against the alliance, but was against the lies they were spreading.

He said the parties have deceived people from the last several decades over the promises of self-rule and autonomy. “We are not against them, but against their lies,” Bukhari said.

About forthcoming DDC polls, the former minister said that these polls are not a referendum, but are being conducted for the development. “I appeal the people here to come out and cast their ballots in the polls in our favor,” Bukhari said.

As per a statement issued here, he said that Apni Party’s contesting candidates across Jammu and Kashmir are the agents of development and political change who would speak on the problems and solutions in their respective areas.

“Apni party also aspires for restoration of special status to J&K but since the matter is sub judice before the Supreme Court, we have not claimed anything about it. However, we also hope and pray that the verdict of the Apex Court on restoration of Articles 370 and 35-A should meet the aspirations of people of J&K,” he said.

He expressed hope and confidence that people of district Bandipora like other parts of J&K will come forward to support and vote for the Apni Party candidates in DDC elections so that they are empowered to work for the holistic development of this district which is known for knowledge and literature.

“Like its two tiers including Panch-Sarpanch and Block Development Council elections, DDC elections will complete the third of Panchayat Raj in J&K. These elections are purely meant for planning and development and those who are trying to compare these elections with any kind of referendum on the special status of J&K are befooling the people,” he said.

Bukhari said that it is crystal clear that the elected Members of Parliament belonging to the signatories of Gupkar Declaration who are crying hoarse about the Article 370 and 35-A have miserably failed to deliver on safeguarding the rights and interests of people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Country’s highest legislative forum, Parliament.

“Anyone can entertain the people by catchy slogans but times have changed and I hope the people will reply to these political parties as they deserve in coming elections,” he said, adding that Apni Party is open to any kind of public scrutiny for whatever it has committed since its inception and whatever it has delivered so far.

He said that the political parties bet it NC, PDP, Congress or BJP have always been averse to the idea of strengthening the grassroots level democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. “Instead of formulating policies for the development of the weaker sections of society by and facilitating the devolution of powers these parties have always deceived them by depriving their legitimate rights including the right to basic amenities,” he added