Appeals political parties to unite for ‘restoration of statehood’
Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Jan 09 (KNO): Apni Party President, Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari Saturday lashed out at outgoing Parliamentarians from Jammu and Kashmir for their ‘failure’ to protect special status of the erstwhile state.
Bukhari, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) also appealed all political parties to unite for the restoration of statehood of erstwhile state alleging their ‘silence’ on the issue gives chance to BJP to snatch remaining powers conferred by the constitution.
The former Cabinet Minister also said that if statehood is restored, amendments made after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in August, 2019 would automatically be restored.
He said the regional political parties of Jammu and Kashmir instead of remaining ‘mute’ on sensitive issues like statehood, must unite to strive for its restoration at earliest.
“What did these Parliamentarians do when our identity was snatched in the Parliament? They were also in the parliament. So far as their performance is concerned, we should not be disappointed that their tenure is over. Thank God, they are out,” Bukhari told reporters at party headquarters here.
Terming the outgoing Parliamentarians from Jammu and Kashmir as ‘good for nothing’, the Apni Party leader said their contribution towards the welfare of people remains zero.
Bukhari also attributed the silence of regional political party’s vis-à-vis restoration of statehood with deep-rooted conspiracy, saying Jammu and Kashmir would face more losses in case leaders do not break their silence.
He said amendments that were made after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A including abolition of Jammu and Kashmir cadre of civil services were expected.
“Amendments like abolition of J&K cadre were expected after abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, this was meant to happen as our identity our statehood was snatched and that’s why I say we should unite and strive for the restoration of statehood. Our services will be restored automatically,” he added.
Commenting on the failure of SMC to deal with the situation which rose in Srinagar in the aftermath of recent heavy snowfall, he said “since the city Mayor belong to my party, I tender my apologies to the people of Srinagar for the inconvenience they faced”
He said allied departments like R&B and Mechanical departments would have chipped in to handle the situation in Srinagar if SMC was lacking apparatus. He said he has nothing to do with whatever politics is being played in SMC at the moment.
“Look SMC has its own politics and I don’t want to be part of that politics. I can say the administration is defunct as departments lack funds, when there are no funds available, how could administration work,” he said—(KNO)
