‘We don’t seek the unachievable’

Arun Joshi in Jammu

What was the basic idea behind the launch of Apni Party? Does it point to emergence of a third front in Kashmir politics?

The idea behind the launch was not spontaneous. It got solidified with circumstances that emerged especially after August 5, 2019. The people of Jammu and Kashmir felt directionless with no existing political party voicing their concerns, suffering and day-to-day issues. I was representing a single constituency but would always raise issues that concern the entire J&K. However, with the passage of time, some like-minded friends and colleagues joined hands and we decided to get united under one umbrella. This

is how a full-fledged party came into being. This is no second or third front but a party that has a pan-J&K presence. All of us in Apni Party do not believe in any sort of fronts which are aimed at dividing the people on social, economic and political lines.

Your party is called Delhi’s proxy. What is your reaction?

By Delhi if you mean the BJP, then let me put it this way: why should Delhi need a proxy when the BJP and other national parties have full-fledged state party units? Why should they trust us and discredit their own leadership? Right since Independence, J&K’s history is replete with such allegations — when Sheikh Mohd Abdullah assumed power without election, he was called an agent of Delhi; then Bakhshi Ghulam Mohd, Mir Qasim, Ghulam Mohd Shah, Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehboobaji.

In J&K, there is a certain section of people that raises fingers whenever new people-friendly political initiatives are taken. The PDP was once termed a brainchild of the BJP, especially that of the late Atalji. But later the PDP formed a government with the Congress and the BJP withdrew support midway. This is all senseless propaganda being unleashed by those who have got unnerved by the launch of our party. The people in J&K are politically mature and are able to differentiate between right and wrong.

How do you see Apni Party in the regional and national context?

It is not a party representing only Kashmir, but has a pan-J&K presence. In fact, after Independence, residents of Jammu and Kashmir are on the same page. Their aspirations are wedded and that is the idea behind Apni Party. We are a regional party with a national outlook, representing the socio-economic and political aspirations of people and have come forward to effectively represent them at all forums available to us.

What is your roadmap for J&K and what is going to be your starting point?

Our roadmap is clearly based on the genuine aspirations of people through which we can take them out of the socio-economic and political quagmire. Our starting point is already in public domain. We have tried our best to get the top leadership of the country to publicly assure and assuage apprehensions that there will be no change in the demographics of Jammu and Kashmir. The issue of demographics of J&K is supreme and we have been able to apprise the Prime Minister and the Home Minister that any fiddling can prove counterproductive. They have allayed all these apprehensions.

We have also been able to make the top leadership pledge to restore domicile rights for the residents of J&K, coupled with restoration of statehood. All this encompasses the starting point for our party.

Your party comprises leaders but no cadre.

We launched our party on March 8. The leaders who were present on the occasion represent masses and any launch ceremony can never be a show of strength of its cadres. Our leadership comprises people who are in touch with the grassroots and have all along worked to alleviate the sufferings of people. We all are primarily workers of our party and let me assure you that all of us have a well-knit, structured, disciplined and energised cadre behind us.

What do you think is ailing J&K? Will restoration of statehood and protection of Muslim-majority demographics solve the problem?

J&K has been ailing because of deceitful politics adopted by all shades of political opinion in the region. People are fed up with lies and hollow promises which resulted in chaos and confusion; this type of politics has eaten into the vitals of our institutions. All schools of political thought have been equally responsible and contributed to the prevailing precarious situation in J&K.

By demanding statehood and protection of demographics, we do not claim it will act as a universal panacea for all ailments. But our charter of demands does not bar other parties from demanding the moon and stars for the people.

As far as the cardinal principle of Jammu Kashmir Apni Party goes, we will always put forth demands that are practical and based on rationality. We are not among those who claim or promise whatever is unachievable.

Do you think Articles 370 and 35A are things of the past?

The matter is sub-judice. The outcome of petitions filed by parties on abrogation of 370 and 35A is pending before the Supreme Court. Let the final verdict come and everybody will be free to express his or her opinion. Regarding our offers, Apni Party has offered whatever is possible within the realm of the Indian Constitution and I don’t think the Government of India would have any qualms in fulfilling its commitment made in Parliament.

As the adage ‘hope is the only thing that is stronger than fear’ goes, we hope that Apni Party will not rest unless all its demands are fulfilled by the Centre.

What were the big takeaways from your meetings with the PM and HM?

It was for the first time outside Parliament that the two top leaders of the country assured us about the protection of demographics in J&K. They assured us on domicile rights coming soon and how these would be more special than what other states enjoy. Third, the people of J&K would see restoration of statehood immediately after the delimitation exercise is completed.

Do you believe you and Delhi have the capacity to rescue Kashmir from the quagmire?

It is not about me. We could see and feel the deep urge in the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to rescue the people from the socio-economic and political quagmire.

When did the idea of launching a new party strike you?

There was no specific time when we thought we should float a new party. The main thrust was to provide the people a new viable, democratic alternative that can live up to its promises and claims. The biggest difference between Apni Party and other parties is that it is not a family fiefdom. Any basic member can become its president through elections with an embargo of two terms in his or her lifetime.

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