Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 24: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today slammed the BJP and NC for letting down the people who voted for these parties, giving them a significant mandate in Jammu and the Valley, respectively.
He reiterated his demand for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, urging the Centre to restore it without any further delay-not as a favour, but as the return of a right that was unjustly taken away on August 5, 2019.
Bukhari made these remarks while speaking with reporters on the sidelines of a party event at the Jammu office.
The event was organised to welcome new entrants into the party fold. The new members included Mohammad Arif, president of the Kisan and Tractor Union, among others. Raj Kumar Lalotra, who was formerly affiliated with the Apni Party, has also rejoined the party at this event.
Speaking to the media, Bukhari criticised ruling NC and opposition BJP for disappointing their respective voters who gave a strong mandate.
He said both parties have disappointed the people who entrusted them with their votes in the Assembly elections. People in Jammu largely voted for the BJP, giving it as many as 29 seats.
Similarly, people in the Valley overwhelmingly voted for the NC, securing it 50 seats. However, both parties have disappointed their respective voters. People are grappling with a range of issues and problems, which remain unaddressed even nine months after the elections.
Urging the Union Government to restore the Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Apni Party chief said, “Prime Minister Modi has promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that Statehood would be restored. He is one of the most prominent leaders, not only in the country but also in the world. The people of J&K should not be left with the impression that the PM did not fulfill the promise he made to them.”
“The Statehood is the right of J&K. Its restoration should not be seen as a favour from the Centre, but as the return of a right that was unjustly revoked on August 5, 2019,” he added.
Prominent party functionaries present on the occasion included Vijay Bakaya, Manjit Singh, Faqir Nath, Arun Chhibber, Saleem Choudhary, Ajaz Kazmi, Prem Lal and others.
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