Restore statehood, hold Assembly polls in J&K: Bukhari

Jammu, January 12

Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) president Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday advocated the early restoration of statehood and holding of Assembly elections in the Union territory, asserting that the people desperately need a popular government as the present administration is “paralysed”.

Bukhari also pitched for the immediate restoration of the 4G Internet mobile service, stipend for unemployed educated youth, release of arrested youth and rehabilitation policy for “misguided” youth who are returning to the mainstream after shunning the path of violence.

Making a fervent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former minister said, “We are waiting for the fulfilment of the promise made to us from the floor of Parliament that the statehood to J&K would be restored.”

“We want our identity back,” Bukhari, who was flanked by senior party leaders from both Kashmir and Jammu regions, told reporters here after felicitating party candidates and independents who successfully contested the recently held District Development Council (DDC) elections.

He said the Prime Minister made a promise about the restoration of the statehood to the JKAP delegation when they called on him after formation of the party last year.

Criticising the opponents, he said, “Our detractors attacked us for our meeting with the Prime Minister and Home Minister…there were some who were thinking that statehood will be restored in due course of time but we know it is a hard battle and we have to work jointly to achieve this.”

“We take the credit for restoring politics in J&K. Politics was said goodbye on August 5, 2019 (when majority of the leaders, including three former Chief Ministers were detained). We came forward though the decision of the August 5 was not in good taste for us as well. The people want restoration of statehood and safeguards for their land and jobs,” he said.

Batting for early Assembly elections after the successful conduct of the recently held DDC polls, the JKAP leader said the people wanted a popular government so that their problems got solved.

“We want Assembly elections be held sooner, even before the completion of the delimitation process. The delimitation process can complete its work of creating seven more seats. We used to nominate two seats, let it be seven this time around as you have already changed so much and this will make no difference,” he said, adding that at least people would get a popular government which would be responsive, responsible and answerable to them. — PTI