JK News Today
Srinagar, August 21: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party , better known as “ Apni Party ( our own party)” in its manifesto for J&K Assembly elections 2024 , laid out a vision not just for the next five years but for the next 30 years how to get Jammu and Kashmir out of darkness and despair that visited the state and its people with the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and laws that were brought to the territory in the last five years.
Apni Party’s General Secretary Rafi Mir who gave details about the manifesto at a press conference on Wednesday brought into sharp focus the vision of the party that will last beyond the Assembly elections as the erstwhile state has suffered immensely in the past five years . There were unimaginable atrocities unleashed on the people of the state from indiscriminate arrests to the communication crackdown and snatching of their voice for their rights. “ It will take a long time to heal these wounds, and the Assembly elections were just one of the means to do so, and to achieve a long-term stability and future for J&K a long term vision is needed,” Mir said.
The party led by Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari since its birth on March 8, 2020 , has been pragmatic in its approach , in which pro-people agenda sits on top , and this is amply reflected in its 5—point manifesto.
It has listed its priorities in a very practical way in which it hopes that it would be backed by the people to power , but even if others gain majority in the elections, its plea will be same empower the government . “ A truncated government, in which all the powers lie with Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister is a puppet in the hands of LG is unacceptable.” The manifesto insists on the real powers for the government and for that it is very important that J&K gets full fledged state back. It is not a question of restoration as if something new is to be granted ., it is the fundamental right of the people of the state , as Jammu and Kashmir was one of the original states in the Indian subcontinent .” Now since the statehood was dismantled , it is the responsibility of the Centre to live by its word to restore the status without any further delay,” Rafi Mir said.
The party manifesto reflects the importance of what Altaf Bukhari has been saying all along that the shape of J&K forever under LG’s rule is a violation of the promises made on the floor of the parliament . The thesis is simple that a disempowered J&K and democratically undernourished people is like trampling on the history, culture and marginalized demography is not in the national interest.
Apni Party’s manifesto has listed other priorities that it will address if it comes to power, including one-time amnesty for all the detainees, regular water and power supply and 500 free units of power to Jammu during summers and for Kashmir during winters.
And, it has made clear that by rejecting its call for unity among parties to launch a united fight for the really powerful Assembly and Chief Minister which is not dependent upon the :LG’ wishes as all powers have been vested in him , the parties have chosen the path of self harm and still worse for the people of J&K. A weakened Jammu and Kashmir is going to be a disaster.
These warnings have been written in a very clear terms in the manifesto and also articulated by the Apni Party leadership. .
