Srinagar: Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday accused the ruling National Conference (NC) of failing to fulfil promises made to voters during the 2024 Assembly elections and alleged that Srinagar had suffered decades of neglect under traditional political parties.
Bukhari made the remarks while addressing a party function at the Apni Party headquarters in Srinagar, where several political workers, including People’s Conference District President Srinagar Nighat Gul and former Nawaz Bazar corporator Inayat Hussain Mir, joined the party along with their associates.
According to Bukhari, Srinagar has faced a developmental deficit for decades, particularly since the 1990s, despite repeatedly electing mainstream political parties to power.
He alleged that parties that had governed Jammu and Kashmir over the years failed to provide adequate infrastructure, civic amenities and development to the residents of the city.
Referring to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bukhari claimed that many voters had once viewed it as an alternative to what he termed “dynastic politics”, but alleged that it later evolved into a family-centric political organisation.
The Apni Party leader further alleged that the National Conference secured a large mandate in the 2024 elections on the basis of promises that remain unfulfilled. He claimed that the party’s inability to implement its election manifesto was its biggest failure.
Bukhari also reiterated his call for greater engagement between the Centre and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the youth.
He said young people in the Union Territory were seeking employment opportunities and a secure future and urged the Centre to take concrete measures to address economic challenges facing the region.
Stating that Jammu and Kashmir has limited scope for large-scale industrial development and a relatively small private sector, he said the Centre should formulate policies aimed at creating jobs and improving livelihood opportunities.
He also called on the government to engage with people, listen to their concerns and address issues affecting their daily lives.
Responding to media queries on reports suggesting that Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi may resign from the National Conference and the Lok Sabha, Bukhari declined to comment directly on the matter, saying it would be premature to do so.
However, he claimed that dissatisfaction within the party could be linked to what he described as the National Conference government’s failure to meet public expectations.
Bukhari said Aga Ruhullah had effectively raised public issues in Parliament and described him as a respected religious and political figure.
Several senior Apni Party leaders, including General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir, Provincial President Kashmir Mohammad Ashraf Mir and other office-bearers, were present at the joining function.
