Former Jammu and Kashmir finance minister Altaf Bukhari launched a new regional political outfit called the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) on Sunday. Joined by 30 political leaders from various state and national parties, Bukhari stated that the party’s primary goal is to advocate for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and ensure domicile rights in education and employment for its residents.
During a press conference held at his residence, Bukhari, flanked by former MLAs and political leaders, announced that the new party would focus on addressing the pressing concerns of the people. “This is an outfit of the commoners, by the commoners, and for the commoners,” Bukhari declared, emphasizing that the party aims to provide practical solutions to the people’s problems rather than making unachievable promises.
“We are not going to sell moons or unachievable dreams to the people but make attempts to solve their problems,” Bukhari, a former leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said.
Restoration of pride and dignity
At the heart of the JKAP’s declaration is a commitment to restoring the “self-esteem and pride” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which Bukhari says has been damaged by the state’s transition to a Union Territory. On August 5, 2019, the Indian government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, stripping the state of its autonomy and bifurcating it into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Bukhari expressed the party’s stance on this historic decision, stating, “The decision taken by the Union government on August 5, 2019, besides scrapping of special status, has reduced the erstwhile princely state to a Union Territory, an unknown and unimaginable situation in the last 70 years when a full-fledged state has been reduced to a Union Territory.”
According to Bukhari, the core agenda of the JKAP is to fight for the restoration of statehood and domicile rights in land ownership and jobs for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The party also aims to reinstate the unique identity and dignity that the region’s people enjoyed prior to the abrogation of Article 370.
A party without dynastic politics
In an apparent reference to the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bukhari emphasized that the JKAP would be different from existing political parties, which he accused of being dominated by family-led politics. He pointed out that JKAP is a people-centric party, not floated by a specific family, and aims to act as a viable political platform that represents the true will of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Bukhari, who represented the Amirakadal constituency in the last assembly of the erstwhile state, was elected president of the new party. He assured that the JKAP’s leadership would not be power-hungry, stating that the party’s immediate focus would be on working for the welfare of the people rather than on upcoming elections. “I do not see elections happening anytime soon. It may take at least a year or so. Let us work for the people till then,” Bukhari remarked.
Broad political support
The launch of the JKAP witnessed the support of several prominent political figures from across the spectrum. Many former ministers and legislators joined Bukhari in forming the party, lending significant weight to the new political platform. Among the notable leaders who joined the JKAP are former PDP ministers Ghulam Hassan Mir, Dilawar Mir, and Chowdhary Zulfiqar Ahmad, along with ex-legislators Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Abdul Majeed Paddar, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, and Usman Majeed.
Additionally, former chief secretary and ex-NC MLC Vijay Bakaya also joined the JKAP, signaling the broad-based nature of the new party. Bukhari and his colleagues aim to create a platform that transcends traditional party lines and offers a fresh start for Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
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“We have resolved to create a viable, political platform that functions in accordance with the wishes of the people, and where the people are the real stakeholders of the political process,” Bukhari explained, highlighting the party’s commitment to being a voice for the common people.
Focus on people’s welfare
A businessman-turned-politician, Bukhari made it clear that JKAP’s mission is not to seek power for the sake of power but to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He reassured the public that the party is dedicated to addressing their immediate concerns, including economic challenges, unemployment, and restoring dignity to the region.
Bukhari stated that while elections might not take place for another year, JKAP’s leaders will continue working on the ground to improve the lives of people in the Union Territory. By positioning itself as a party of the people, the JKAP aims to challenge the established political order in Jammu and Kashmir and offer a new political alternative that addresses the region’s unique challenges.
The JKAP’s formation marks a significant development in the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir as the region continues to grapple with its new status and the aftermath of the revocation of its special autonomy. Whether this new party will be able to gain traction among the people remains to be seen, but it has certainly added a new dimension to the region’s evolving political dynamics.
