Apni Party releases manifesto, promises to work for restoration of statehood in J&K

Srinagar, August 21

Ahead of the Assembly poll, the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party on Wednesday released the party manifesto and promised to work for the restoration of statehood and pressing for constitutional guarantees to preserve the culture and special identity of J&K on the lines of Article 371, besides providing job security to the youth and protecting the land.

The four-year-old party also promised 500 units of free electricity for the Kashmir and Jammu regions, if it is voted to power. This is the second party to have announced the poll manifesto since the announcement of elections in the Assembly of J&K.

In the poll document, the party says it will secure the “constitutional guarantees for the protection of land and job security for local youth.” The manifesto also promises restoration of statehood.

Senior party leader Ashraf Mir said the manifesto was a “bold vision for a new era in Jammu and Kashmir”. He said, “Together, we will transform our homeland.”

On Wednesday, the party manifesto said it would release detainees and withdraw cases against the youth.

“With the situation returning to normal, the Apni Party will leave no stone unturned to secure the early release of those 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 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 Cases against teenagers detained in the summer of 2016, now adults, will also be withdrawn to enable them to pursue government jobs without hindrance,” it read. “The Apni Party will ensure one-time amnesty for all detainees with a cut-off date ending in August 2025 on the production of an affidavit attested from court,” it further read.

Other than working to restore the powers of the Cabinet and CM, recently transferred to the Lieutenant Governor, the party also said it would strive towards replacing the AGMUT cadre for J&K with the old J&K cadre.

“We will also seek the transfer of hydel projects run by the NHPC, currently generating power by harnessing the Chenab river’s waters, to J&K. This will address the poor power situation by making full power production available locally,” the party said in its manifesto.

Regarding the employment of youth, the party has promised to create job opportunities in the tourism and industrial sectors. It said it would provide stipend for the educated unemployed youth.

The party has also talked about the return of the Kashmir Pandits, old pension scheme and review of the Forest Rights Act in the poll document.

In March 2020, former PDP leader Altaf Bukhari had announced the formation of the Apni Party. Formed with more than a dozen of former legislators, the organisation was dubbed as a regional party with a national outlook.

However, four years later, the party is struggling to emerge as a political force in the UT. In its first major test during the Lok Sabha poll, it faced drubbing with its candidates losing their security deposit.