“Solution of Kashmir issue lies with India, everything else is a lie”: Altaf Bukhari
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, “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.
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, 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.
“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. (KNO)
