Apni Party to Contest Nagrota and Budgam Assembly By-Polls: Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday announced that his party will field candidates for the upcoming assembly by-elections in Nagrota and Budgam constituencies.

The names of the candidates are expected to be announced following the PAC meeting in Srinagar on Wednesday.

Bukhari chaired a crucial meeting with party leaders of the province at the Jammu office in Gandhi Nagar before addressing a press conference. He was accompanied by Apni Party’s Provincial President, Jammu, S Manjit Singh, and other senior leaders.

Addressing the media, Bukhari criticised the ruling parties in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that both the National Conference and the BJP had failed to deliver on promises made to the people of the region. He highlighted issues including lack of development, failure to provide electricity waivers, social schemes, free 200 units for the public, release of jailed youth, rising unemployment, irregularisation of daily wagers, and losses faced by fruit growers during the 17-day closure of the Jammu-Srinagar Highway.

Bukhari also questioned the BJP for its alleged inaction in Jammu, claiming that flood victims received inadequate support despite the party holding a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly.

“The people have lost faith in NC and BJP. They have failed to fulfil their promises. Therefore, voters in Nagrota and Budgam shall support Apni Party candidates in the upcoming by-polls,” he said.

Recalling the party’s interventions following August 5, 2019, Bukhari stated that the Apni Party successfully engaged with the Union Government to safeguard local jobs and land rights, a feat he claimed no other party achieved.

He further accused the ruling parties of being “hand in glove”, with the NC citing inability to fulfil promises and the BJP allegedly failing to deliver for Jammu, engaging only in “claims and counter-claims.”