Srinagar, Oct 15: Apni Party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir has defended his party’s role following the August 5, 2019, changes in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming it helped safeguard local residents’ rights over land and jobs and address fears of demographic change.
In an interview with a media organisation, Mir said the Apni Party was formed on March 20, 2020, under the leadership of Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari amid uncertainty and apprehensions following the Centre’s decisions on Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
He said the party approached Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey public concerns over the region’s demographic composition and the protection of local rights.
Mir claimed the party’s intervention contributed to assurances from the Centre and the introduction of domicile provisions governing eligibility for jobs and land-related rights. He said the existing 15-year residency requirement could be reviewed by the elected government.
On the demand for restoration of statehood, Mir said his party was ready to work with other political groups on issues that could be pursued collectively. He alleged that the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier prioritised the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A over statehood.
He criticised the parties for failing to respond to earlier appeals for a united effort, while stressing that any joint campaign must have a clear strategy and realistic objectives.
Mir also defended his decision to revolt against the NC government in 1984, saying the party had failed to honour commitments made in its 1983 Assembly election manifesto. He recalled his role in the formation of the PDP under the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, saying the party had initially offered an alternative to the NC and focused on addressing human rights concerns.
However, he said the PDP’s performance after returning to power in 2014 through an alliance with the BJP had disappointed him. He also criticised the NC and PDP for what he described as centralised leadership structures that restricted internal democracy and the emergence of new leaders.
Questioning the NC government’s governance record, Mir said the elected administration should focus on delivering public services despite the Union Territory framework and the powers vested in the Lieutenant Governor.
He challenged the NC’s argument that the existing power structure hampered governance, asking why elected governments in other Union Territories could function under similar arrangements.
Mir also accused the NC of failing to fulfil key election promises, particularly its commitment to provide 200 units of free electricity to every household. He criticised the reported restrictions on the benefit to Antyodaya Anna Yojana families and questioned the government’s proposed solar-power alternative.
While reiterating his party’s support for statehood restoration, Mir questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s decision to contest Assembly elections after previously expressing reservations about elections under the Union Territory system.
