Apni Party goes full throttle in NC, PDP bastions in Kashmir

The newly-established political outfit, Apni Party, led by former minister Altaf Bukhari, has in the last two weeks held massive shows of strength in Jammu and Kashmir, even in the bastions of the more established National Conference (NC), Congress and the People Democratic Party (PDP), especially in northern Kashmir.

These events have attracted good crowds, and for Apni Party, the same has served as a preparation ahead of the ensuing elections. Though poll dates for the UT have not yet been announced, speculations are rife about elections being likely by the end of the year or early next year.

Party leaders say the decision to launch rallies was taken to uplift the cadre’s morale and showcase the party’s strength.

“Our rallies have been successful at every place as more and more people are willing to join us,” Bukhari party president, said. “This is just the beginning,” he added.

Bukhari optimistic of electoral success

Bukhari said he was optimistic that elections, whenever held, will be a surprise for UT’s political bigwigs, especially those who have been fooling people in the name of false slogans.

Apni party was formed soon after revocation of Article 370. All the top leaders of the party had met Prime Minister Modi and home minister Amit Shah, making the party to be one of the first to reach out to the Centre post the move.

Since then, many politicians from different parties have joined the Apni Party with a hope the party will perform well in the elections. Free 500 units of electricity, enhancement of old

Our rallies have been successful, more and more people are willing to join us. This is just the beginning.

ALTAF BUKHARI, party prez

age pension and reduction in freight for apple transport by 50% have been some of the pole points in the party campaign.

“Apple, which contributes 8% of J&K’s GDP, was never a priority of previous governments. This will be our top issue,” Bukhari said, eyeing the major vote bank of farmers and the growers in northern Kashmir.

A former minister in the PDPBharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government, Bukhari has also announced plans to contest elections from two seats — one in northern Kashmir and another in Srinagar.

While party leaders are mostly seen targeting NC and the PDP in Kashmir, their main pitch for Jammu region remains harping on alleged policy failures of the BJP and Congress.

Bukhari himself represented the erstwhile Amira Kadal constituency in Srinagar, now a part of Chanpora post delimitation, and plans to contest from the constituency, besides Uri, as he originally hails from Muqam Peran village of the region.

The party is also hopeful of bagging seats from Baramulla district. “In the District Development Council (DDC) polls, we won three seats and performed well at all places. The assembly elections will be easy for us especially when, the party has winning candidates in all seven assembly segments,” a senior Apni Party leader said.