Mendhar, July 15: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday made it clear that his party has not endorsed the National Conference’s proposed “Delhi Chalo” protest at Jantar Mantar, saying the demonstration is a decision of the ruling party alone and not the outcome of any broader political consensus in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing reporters in Mendhar, Bukhari said the Apni Party would deliberate on the issue at a meeting scheduled for July 18 before taking a final call on whether to support or participate in the programme.
“The Jantar Mantar protest is the National Conference’s decision, not a consensus decision. We have convened a meeting on July 18 to discuss the issue and decide our future course of action,” he said, adding in a lighter vein that his party would “pray for them.”
The remarks assume significance as the National Conference prepares to lead a protest in New Delhi seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, while opposition parties continue to chart their own political strategies on the issue.
Bukhari as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also shifted the focus to what he described as the pressing concerns of the Pir Panjal region, saying residents continue to grapple with poor road connectivity, inadequate drinking water facilities and other basic infrastructure deficits despite repeated assurances.
He urged the Union Government, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, to expedite the construction of bunkers in border villages, saying civilians living close to the Line of Control continue to face security challenges and require better protection.
On the constitutional question, Bukhari described Article 370 as an emotional issue for the people of Jammu and Kashmir but argued that the immediate political objective should be to secure constitutional guarantees protecting land rights, employment opportunities and the region’s distinct socio-cultural identity.
“We need constitutional guarantees to safeguard our value system, jobs and land. These protections are more important than debating a constitutional provision that the Centre has repeatedly ruled out restoring,” he said.
Bukhari maintained that durable constitutional safeguards would better address the aspirations of the people while protecting their economic and social interests. [KNT]
