Altaf Bukhari to launch ‘Apni Party’ in Srinagar today
SRINAGAR: A new political formation named ‘Apni Party’ is being launched in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday by former minister Altaf Bukhari. The new outfit, the first to be launched in J&K after abrogation of Article 370 is being joined by dozens of local leaders including former ministers and MLAs.
Apni Party will be launched at Sheikh Bagh in Srinagar—the house of Bukhari—where a briefing will be held to reveal more details related to the party’s constitution, philosophy and flag. Bukhari and other party members plan to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah after the launch.
HT had earlier reported that Bukhari and other former legislators will launch the outfit in March and it will fight for the statehood and domicile rights of the people of J&K.
Bukhari’s efforts to get PDP patron and former deputy CM Muzaffar Hussain Baig on board failed. Sources said Baig wanted some strong commitments from Altaf Bukahri and others, which didnot materialise.
Bukhari had also met BJP general secretary Ram Madhav in Gulmarg last month, though Bukhari later said it was a ‘chance’ encounter and he didn’t discuss politics with Madhav.
Bukhari, who is seen as the chief ministerial face of the new outfit, had recently told HT that the new party will work for the people of J&K who need relief and a shoulder to cry.
“The party will be J&K centric and will have leaders from both Jammu as well as Kashmir and won’t be confined to Kashmir only,’’ he had said.