Apni Party backs Taj Mohiuddin’s candidature

The Apni Party on Monday announced support to former J&K minister Taj Mohiuddin who is contesting as an Independent candidate from the Uri assembly segment in Baramulla district.

Following the Apni Party’s announcement, the PDP withdrew its support to Mohiuddin. “In view of Apni Party extending support to Taj Mohuddin in Uri constituency, JKPDP has decided to withdraw its support and put out the party’s own candidate,” it said in a post on X.

Announcing the decision, Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari said it was done keeping in mind the interests of the people of the Uri assembly segment. “The Apni Party has decided to back Mohiuddin. We will lend our full support to him. There is no personal interest. Neither does Mohiuddin have any personal interest nor do I,” Bukhari said.

Bukhari said Mohiuddin is a tall leader and expressed hope that he would be elected to the assembly.

Asserting that public interest was the top priority of the Apni Party, its chief said, “In the broader interest of the people, we will not hesitate to support like-minded independent candidates wherever and whenever we find it appropriate during these elections.”

Mohiuddin, who has represented the Uri seat twice in the erstwhile J&K legislative assembly, had recently resigned from the Ghulam Nabi Azad-led Democratic Progressive Azad party (DPAP).