The Prime Minister told the delegation that the democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast-moving process of political integration.
At a time when the majority of mainstream political leaders are facing huge ‘credibility‘ crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and some of them continue to remain under detention since August 5, the emergence of Jammu and Kashmir Apni party, floated by former Peoples Democratic Party leader, Syed Altaf Bukhari is being seen as a significant political development.
Political pundits closely watching the political developments claim, the timing of the launch of a political party, coinciding the beginning of the delimitation process
First of all, it marks the beginning of the stalled political process in the region after the abrogation of Article 370. This is the first regional party with a national outlook that is not floated and controlled by any ‘family’.
At the same time, the founding members are all ‘turncoats’ and have deserted Peoples Democratic Party, National Conference and Congress party before joining hands. However, founding President of the party, Syed Altaf Bukhari maintains, this party is of the commoners, by the commoners, for the commoners.
The newly floated political party enjoys not only tacit support and backing by the BJP ruled central government but some of the founding members of the party are considered close confidantes of the top brass of the ruling party. These political leaders, initially detained by the government, were freed gradually and brought together to lend some degree of legitimacy to the stalled political process in Kashmir valley.
It is for this very reason, political pundits closely watching the political developments claim, the timing of the launch of a political party, coinciding the beginning of the delimitation process clearly signals the intent of the Union government to install a popular government in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu Kashmir Apni Party leaders called on Modi in New Delhi
Less than one week after the new regional party was floated its leaders landed in New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. This was the first ‘official’ meeting of any political party from Jammu and Kashmir with Prime Minister after the scraping of Article 370 on August 5, last year and division of erstwhile State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
The agenda of the meeting of these party leaders with the Prime Minister is already under the scanner especially in political circles across Kashmir valley. The meeting was convened, a day after National Conference Chief and sitting Parliamentarian Dr. Farooq Abdullahs detention was revoked and was set free by the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Bukhari said taking a fresh political plunge at such “Critical juncture of J&K” was based on the “needs of its people”
Before these Kashmiri leaders called on Prime Minister in New Delhi, leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, arrived in Srinagar to meet Dr. Farooq Abdullah after a gap of more than seven months. After his meeting with the senior Abdullah, Azad demanded immediate restoration of democracy and the release of detained political leaders. He also pitched for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Ahead of meeting Prime Minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari, announced that the delegation leaders would collectively raise the demands of restoration of Statehood, protection of land rights and jobs and the redressal of the problems related to Tourism, Horticulture, Agriculture and other sectors.
My government will restore statehood to J&K after the completion of the delimitation process: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday met a 24 member delegation from Apni Party led by Altaf Bukhari at his official residence in New Delhi and assured them that his Government will work with all sections of the population for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity.
The Prime Minister told the delegation that the democracy in the region could be strengthened through a fast-moving process of political integration.
Prime Minister also noted their concerns on demographic changes, delimitation exercise and grant of domicile. He assured them that the Government will work with all sections of the population to realize the hopes of Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir at an early opportunity.
He assured the delegation that the Government is committed to the economic development of the region through an extensive focus on infrastructure development and creating new investment opportunities in sectors like tourism. He assured full support by the Government to resolve all the issues being faced by Jammu & Kashmir.
Apni party ready to do business with New Delhi: Bukhari
On March 8, the day Jammu and Kashmir Apni party were launched by its founding President Syed Altaf Bukhari, he told reporters “Now the time has come to overcome “mistrust” between Jammu & Kashmir and the Central Government.”
“We don’t look at it from the point of view of who rules Delhi. We look at it from the angle of Government of India and don’t hesitate in dealing with them. We want to overcome the mistrust between J&K and New Delhi.”
Bukhari said taking a fresh political plunge at such “Critical juncture of J&K” was based on the “needs of its people” but affirmed that assembly polls in the newly carved out Union Territory were still some time away.
“We are a regional party with a national outlook and will not be making any promises which are not based on facts and truth. The needs are more of ours than that of the Centre and that is why we have come forward,” said Bukhari.“I don’t see any polls approaching soon and expect it to happen only after the delimitation exercise is completed after 1-1.5 years from now.”
Calling JKAP “a mix of youth and experience,” Bukhari said the newly-launched political party consisting of veteran political personalities from a cross-section of parties can play a vital role in the restoration of J&K’s statehood.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
- Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir soon: Modi - April 12, 2024
- Campaign trail: Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat - April 8, 2024
- Ghulam Nabi Azad returns to the poll arena, to contest the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat - April 2, 2024
I demand BJP to restore rights of J & K to the original status of 1947 & install Shiekh Farooq Abdullah as the Prime Minster of J & K & his duffer son as the “Nawab” of J & K. Indian govt to give a bonus of Rs.10 lacs to each J & K person as a compenstaion., with free water, free electricty connections, free public transport also. J & K should have a different passport … cannot integrate with existing ones…
Full statehood to J&K is a dangerous idea.
Islamist forces, which are in a subdued mode for now, will quickly rear their head if the status quo ante is restored.
It should remain a UT for the foreseeable future.