Promises include the restoration of statehood, dismissal of cases against youth, reclaiming hydel power projects from NHPC, providing 500 units of free electricity to each household, enforcing the Forest Rights Act, and minority status to the Sikh community; implementing a strong anti-drug policy, and a variety of other initiatives
JK News Today
Srinagar, August 21: Apni Party, on Wednesday, released its election manifesto for the upcoming assembly polls in J&K. The manifesto was unveiled by the party’s General Secretary, Rafi Ahmad Mir, during a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar. On this occasion, Mir was accompanied by his colleagues, including the party’s Provincial President (Kashmir), Mohammad Ashraf Mir, State Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Muntazir Mohiuddin, Senior Party Leader and Former Mayor of Srinagar, Junaid Azim Mattu, District President Srinagar Mohammad Shafi Mir, and others.
While releasing the party’s comprehensive manifesto, Rafi Ahmad Mir said that the Apni Party is committed to ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the restoration of all its constitutional rights, including statehood.
In its manifesto, the Apni Party has promised that if it receives a public mandate in the assembly elections, it will restore all the laws amended after August 2019 that have disempowered the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the party has pledged to strive for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The other key promises in the manifesto are: Withdrawal of cases against the youth; 500 units of free electricity per month to every household in Kashmir during winter and in Jammu during summer; implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2019 to eliminate harassment and extend benefits to those living near forest areas; facilitation of the return of Kashmiri Pandits; minority status to Sikh community; restoration of the old pension scheme; and a variety of other initiatives.
In the manifesto, the party has outlined its planned initiatives for implementing its economic and developmental agenda. These initiatives include the recovery of Hydel Power Projects currently managed by NHPC in Jammu and Kashmir. The party has also promised to reserve mining rights for local stakeholders in J&K.
The party has promised to implement a robust policy to eradicate the drug menace in Kashmir, as well as to promote sports activities and provide sports infrastructure for the youth.
Replying to a question during the press conference, Rafi Ahmad Mir stated that the Apni Party was launched after August 2019 solely to protect the rights of the people.
He said, “At that difficult time, we decided to come forward and stand by our people. We established this party and took the initiative to meet with leaders in New Delhi. We demanded the release of prisoners, including political leaders. In front of the leaders in Delhi, we expressed our concern that J&K could face demographic changes and eventually lose its identity. We succeeded in convincing New Delhi and ensured the protection of agricultural land and jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.”
When asked about some party leaders who recently left the party, Mir said, “Joining or leaving a political party is not unusual. We see such events happening in other parties as well.”
He made it clear that the Apni Party will not form an alliance with any party in the upcoming elections. Additionally, he clarified that the Apni Party was neither affiliated with the BJP in the past nor is it connected with the BJP at present.
