Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation and mainstream political parties, accusing them of pursuing self-interest while neglecting the people’s welfare.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Bukhari said that despite securing a majority, the present (NC) government had failed to deliver on its promises, leaving people disillusioned and frustrated.
“The government is a total failure. Despite winning the majority in both Kashmir and parts of Jammu, it has only benefited those who managed to reach the assembly,” Bukhari said. “The people continue to suffer while the elected representatives are serving their own interests.”
He singled out the BJP for its “poor governance and misplaced priorities”, saying the condition of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway itself is a glaring symbol of the government’s inefficiency. “If there’s one example that exposes BJP’s failure, it is the condition of our national highway. Despite having full control, the government has failed to maintain even this lifeline of the Union territory,” he remarked.
Bukhari also took aim at the National Conference (NC), saying that despite enjoying a majority, it continues to portray itself as powerless. “The NC has numbers but still it claims to be helpless. This helplessness has only deepened people’s despair,” he said.
Reiterating the Apni Party’s stance following the abrogation of Article 370, Bukhari claimed that his party’s delegation to Delhi had “at least succeeded in securing protection for land rights”, something other parties failed to do.
“We went to Delhi after Article 370 was revoked. We didn’t go there to beg but to safeguard the land rights of our people, and we succeeded. Others kept playing emotional politics and did nothing,” he claimed.
Expressing concern about the state’s “political instability”, Bukhari warned that continuing helplessness of the government and political infighting could endanger the future of the younger generation. “If this is how our government behaves, powerless and indifferent, I don’t know what our children will have to witness in the future,” he said.
The Apni Party chief said the “true identities” of all major political parties, including the NC, PDP, and BJP, have now been exposed before the people. “The BJP cannot wash its hands of the situation by claiming it is not in power here. The truth is, it has been running Jammu and Kashmir from Delhi. It has 28 members, yet none could even secure a relief package for the flood victims,” Bukhari said.
He added that the ongoing rivalry among the political parties has hurt only the common people. “The political differences among parties have become the people’s burden. They fight for power, and it is the ordinary citizens who pay the price,” he said.
Commenting on the Budgam and Nagrota Assembly by-elections, Bukhari said the results would not bring any substantial change but urged people to support truth and transparency. “These by-elections will not alter anything, but I appeal to people to stand with honesty and truth,” he said, adding that his party would soon announce its candidate for the Budgam Assembly seat after a decision by the Political Affairs Committee. (KNT)
