Srinagar: The Apni Party on Wednesday released its manifesto for the assembly elections, promising to press the Centre for constitutional guarantees to preserve the culture and special identity of Jammu and Kashmir, and to work for the restoration of statehood of the Union territory.
Founded by the businessman turned politician, Mohammad Altaf Bukhari in 2020, the Apni Party also promised to drop under a general amnesty all charges against the youth who were arrested under the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) in J&K, if the party was elected to power.
The manifesto was released at a press conference here by the party’s general secretary Rafi Mir along with other senior leaders.
“The Apni Party will press for constitutional guarantees to preserve the culture and special identity of Jammu and Kashmir, similar to the provisions of Article 371 in some north-eastern states. This includes land and job protection, addressing the people’s sense of loss,” the manifesto read.
The party said it will work tirelessly to restore statehood as promised by the Union Home Minister on August 05, 2019.
It also promised the restoration of repealed and amended laws.
“The Apni Party will revisit and restore all the laws that were withdrawn or amended over time. Our party will secure constitutional guarantees for the protection of land and job security for local youth,” the manifesto said.
The Apni Party, led by former minister in the erstwhile state of J&K Altaf Bukhari, said upon restoration of J&K’s statehood, “we will vigorously seek the reinstatement of a bicameral legislature, comprising both a Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, as existed before August 05, 2019”.
On the issue of the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, the party said it believes in their dignified return and if elected to power, will form an apex committee to address the issue.
“We will consult with their representatives to facilitate their return. An apex committee, chaired by the chief minister and comprising representatives of all registered Kashmiri Pandit organisations, will be constituted. This committee will meet every six months to address migrant issues. The revenue minister will serve as the convener,” the manifesto added.
The party said it would leave no stone unturned to secure the early release of detainees not involved in heinous crimes.
“We will ensure the establishment of a fast-track board to review and dispose of cases for those languishing in jails under the Public Safety Act (PSA) even after their imprisonment terms have expired.
“Cases against teenagers detained in the summer of 2016, now adults, will also be withdrawn to enable them to pursue government jobs without hindrance. Apni Party will ensure one-time amnesty for all the detainees with a cut-off date ending August 2024 on production of an affidavit attested from court,” it said.
The Apni Party will create a conducive atmosphere for long-lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir, it added.
The party also said it will work to restore the powers of the cabinet and chief minister, recently transferred to the Lieutenant Governor by the Centre.
It also promised to provide 500 units of free power per month per household in Kashmir during winter (October to March) and in Jammu during summer (April to September).
The Apni Party will provide four free LPG cylinder refills annually to every BPL and AAY family, it also added.
Following the release of the poll manifesto, party general secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir addressed a news conference; asserting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) openly stripped J&K of its special status, unlike the Congress, which gradually undermined J&K with the support of regional parties.
Criticizing the National Conference poll plank, promising to pass a resolution in the assembly in its first list of business after elections against the Center’s August 05, 2019 decision, Mir said the party had in the past also passed a resolution back in 1996 that was rejected by the Parliament.
“Why might they achieve now what they were unable to achieve in the past? When DDC and BDC elections were announced in J&K in 2020, they promised to restore Article 370 and statehood, but nothing of the sort was seen happening on the ground,” Mir added.
The Apni Party, Mir claimed, was formed with sole purpose of addressing developmental issues, employment, youth empowerment and day to day issues of the people including ‘Roti, Kapda, Makan, Bijli, Pani and Sadak’ and the party despite its poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, remains resolute in its resolve.
“We founded this party to bring our programs before the public. Now it’s for the people of J&K to decide how successful our effort was. We did not perform well in the Lok Sabha elections for a number of factors that the party also tried to explore,” he added. (With additional inputs from PTI)
Apni Party announces first list of 8 candidates
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party on Wednesday released its first list of eight candidates for the upcoming assembly elections in the union territory, according to a party spokesperson.
The list was recommended by Mohammad Dilawar Mir, chairman of the party’s parliamentary affairs committee, and was approved by party president Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Apni Party released its manifesto for the assembly elections. The manifesto was released at a press conference here by the party’s general secretary Rafi Mir, who will contest from Pahalgam constituency, along with other senior leaders.
Other nominees fielded by the party for the Lok Sabha polls include Hilal Ahmad Shah who will try his luck from Anantnag, Tariq Shah Veeri from Bijbehara, and Abdul Majeed Padder from D H Pora, the spokesperson said.
Party leader Riyaz Ahmad Bhat will contest from Devsar, Gowher Hassan Wani from Zainapora, Mir Altaf from Pampore, and Owais Khan from Shopian, he added.
All these seats are from south Kashmir which is going to polls in the first phase of the three-phased elections on September 18.
