SRINAGAR: Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir has claimed that his party played a key role in safeguarding the land and employment rights of Jammu and Kashmir residents following the August 5, 2019, changes, saying it was formed amid fears of demographic change in the region.
In an interview with a media organisation, Mir said the party was established on March 20, 2020, under the leadership of Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari to address public concerns following the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state.
He said the party approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey apprehensions among residents about possible demographic changes and the loss of land and employment protections.
Mir claimed that the party’s intervention contributed to the introduction of domicile provisions governing eligibility for jobs and land-related rights in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the existing 15-year residency requirement should be reviewed and questioned why the elected government had not extended it.
On the demand for restoration of statehood, Mir said Apni Party was willing to work with other political parties but accused them of previously dismissing the issue as less important while prioritising the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.
He alleged that the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) had failed to act on an earlier proposal for an all-party meeting. Mir said any joint campaign for statehood must be based on a clear strategy and achievable objectives.
While reiterating his party’s support for statehood, Mir questioned the National Conference’s position on governance under the Union Territory framework. He asked why the elected government could not deliver on its promises despite operating under a system similar to that in Delhi, which also has a legislature and a Lieutenant Governor.
Mir also criticised the National Conference over its electoral promises, particularly the commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to every consumer. He alleged that the party had subsequently narrowed the proposed benefit to Antyodaya Anna Yojana households and shifted towards providing solar power to eligible families.
He questioned the government’s contribution to the solar power initiative, saying the programme was being implemented under the Central government.
Recalling his political career, Mir said he had opposed the National Conference in 1984 because, according to him, it had failed to implement commitments made in its 1983 Assembly election manifesto. He also spoke about his role in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party under the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, saying the party had initially offered an alternative to the National Conference.
Mir alleged that the PDP lost public confidence after forming an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2015. He also criticised the leadership structures of regional parties, arguing that they had become increasingly centralised and did not adequately accommodate dissent.
The National Conference and other parties have not been quoted responding to the allegations in the statement.
