Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari blames the government for reducing employment opportunities by outsourcing jobs
JK News Today
Srinagar, July 3: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Friday blamed the government for “further increasing unemployment” by outsourcing jobs and “undermining democracy and democratic institutions by centralising power in the hands of one man at the helm of the government.”
He made these remarks while addressing workers’ conventions at Khanabal and Achabal in south Kashmir today.
During his address at the events, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “On the one hand, the government promised the youth employment opportunities, but on the other hand, they snatched away those very opportunities through the outsourcing of jobs. Instead of reducing unemployment, they have only made it worse.”
He further alleged that the government had failed to launch any employment-generating projects even after being in power for more than twenty months.
“They have not initiated a single project so far to generate employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also accused the ruling National Conference of undermining democratic institutions by centralising authority after assuming office.
“In a democracy, elections are meant to empower the people. However, after coming to power, the National Conference concentrated authority in the hands of a single individual. This has weakened grassroots democracy and democratic institutions,” he said.
He further alleged that democratic values had been replaced by a culture of flattery.
“Today, we have the rule of flatterers rather than the rule of democratic principles. Apni Party will continue its struggle against such undemocratic practices and work to ensure that the benefits of democracy reach the people. We remain committed to strengthening grassroots democratic institutions and restoring power to the people,” Mr Bukhari added.
He strongly criticised the government over what he described as its failure to provide effective governance and its inability to fulfil the promises it made during the election campaign.
He said, “the government has failed to deliver on the commitments it made to the people, who had given it a massive mandate after believing its assurances and election promises.”
He said, “One of the promises the ruling NC made to the people during the 2024 election campaign was that it would restore the abrogated Article 370. Among its other promises was to provide one lakh jobs for unemployed youth, with an assurance that these jobs would be given soon after it assumes office.”
He added, “Now, more than 20 months later, we hear that the government has outsourced thousands of jobs, which amounts to a grave injustice to unemployed youth. There is a long list of promises that the NC made only to lure voters and secure their votes, but those promises have remained unfulfilled.”
Addressing the Achabal gathering, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari assured party workers that the Apni Party would soon launch a public outreach campaign in the area to strengthen its presence and expand its grassroots base.
At Khanabal, he expressed gratitude to the party’s workers for remaining steadfast and loyal through the party’s ups and downs since its establishment.
Urging people to get themselves rid of the traditional political parties, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “What have these family-run parties given you, other than exploiting your mandate to build political empires for themselves? The people of South Kashmir entrusted all seven seats to the ruling NC–Congress alliance, yet not a single representative from the region was considered worthy of a ministerial portfolio. This is how the leaders of these traditional parties reward the people and honour their mandate once they secure victory.”
He further said, “The NC’s victory in the elections was largely an accidental one, driven by the unique circumstances prevailing at the time. Many people believed the party would genuinely strive to restore the abrogated Article 370. They also trusted its promises of providing 200 units of free electricity, free gas cylinders, an additional ration quota, and several other welfare measures announced by NC leaders during their election campaign.”
“But now this government stands completely exposed for its failure to provide effective governance and fulfill the promises it made to the people,” he added.
The prominent party leaders who also addressed the workers’ conventions held at Khanabal and Achabal included the party’s General Secretary, Rafi Ahmad Mir; Additional General Secretary, Hilal Ahmad Shah; Chief Coordinator and District President of Kulgam, Abdul Majeed Padder; District President of Anantnag, Mufti Sarwar; and others.
Besides these leaders, those who were present at both or either of the events included Provincial Secretary Kashmir, Nazir Ahmad Wani (Dilgami); Constituency In-charge, Anantnag West, Sheikh Muzaffar; Constituency In-charge, Shangus, M.K. Yogi; In-charge, Dooru, Bashir Ahmad Bragami; Hilal Ahmad Lone; Hafiza Jee; and others.
