Srinagar, Jun 11: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Jammu and Kashmir's traditional political parties, alleging that the People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) was a "political deception" created to conceal their failures and misdeeds in the aftermath of the August 5, 2019, constitutional changes.
Addressing a gathering at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Bukhari said the alliance was formed not to safeguard the interests of the people but to serve the political interests of a few established parties and their leadership.
"These parties have been befooling the people for more than seven decades. Following the events of August 5, they formed the so-called alliance known as PAGD only to conceal their failures and misdeeds. At the time, they claimed that PAGD would bring back the abrogated Article 370. However, that promise was nothing more than a deception," Bukhari said.
He alleged that the alliance primarily served the interests of what he described as "family-run parties".
"They formed this alliance simply because it suited their political interests at that particular moment, especially those of the two family-run parties. Their real objective has always been to attain power and strengthen the influence of their own families. This is what they have consistently done throughout their political careers," he said.
Welcoming new entrants into the party, Bukhari said Apni Party remained committed to preserving the dignity and political space of its workers and supporters.
"It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all to Apni Party. I know that you belong to a constituency that has been historically important and politically sensitive. You have always held your head high, and today I assure you that in this party, you will continue to do so. Your dignity and self-respect will always be preserved here. You will never be disappointed by this party," he said.
Expressing confidence that the new entrants would strengthen the party's grassroots network, Bukhari said, "I am sure that your joining will further strengthen the party's cadre in your respective areas and, together, we will be able to serve the people better."
Referring to the circumstances that led to the formation of the Apni Party in 2020, Bukhari said the party emerged during a period of political uncertainty and public distress following the abrogation of Article 370.
"This party was established in 2020, just a few months after Article 370 and our other constitutional rights were taken away. At that time, there was chaos and a lockdown across Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of people were behind bars, and people desperately needed political leaders to stand by them. Unfortunately, the traditional political parties miserably failed to play their role during that critical period. We stepped forward to stand by our people in their hour of need. This is how and why Apni Party was established," he said.
Bukhari said Apni Party's political approach was based on realism rather than what he termed as misleading promises.
"Unlike the traditional parties, Apni Party believes in the politics of truth and integrity. We do not lie to or deceive people for political gain or electoral dividends.
We will not mislead the public, nor will we make false promises or promise the moon and the stars. Rather, we will commit ourselves only to those goals that we genuinely believe can be achieved," he said.
Reiterating his party's commitment to safeguarding public interests, Bukhari said Apni Party would continue to pursue the restoration of the people's rights through democratic and constitutional means.
"Our aim is to fight for the rights of the people. We will work to restore the constitutional rights of the people, and I assure you that this is achievable," he added.
