New political outfit Apni Party floated in Kashmir – Aims to reshape politics and challenge dynasties

New Delhi: Former PDP leader Altaf Bukhari is on a new journey as he launched a new party on Sunday, March 8 opening a new vista in the politcs of newly carved out Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He has announced the launch of his new outfit ‘Apni Party’.

“My priority is my people in J&K. Every political party will have its space. We are not trying to into anyone’s space,” said Bukhari. He was elected president of the new outfit – Apni Party – which has said that while it wil be regional player, it will have a national outlook. But talking to reporters, he declined to be drawn in any debate on the role of Pakistan vis-a-vis Kashmir issue but he certainly recorded his disapproval for the bifurcation of the erstwhile state. Loosing out Ladakh region was like loosing a part of body, he remarked.

Besides giving a setback to hitherto established regional parties – PDP and National Conference, emergence of a new outfit could also make things further difficult for the Congress party. Lately three leaders in J&K resigned from the Congress blaming it for the agony of Kashmiri people.

PDP leader and a former Minister Ashraf Mir resigned from his party on Saturday and also announced his decision to join the newly floated Apni Party. Key leaders like Ghulam Hassan Mir and Vijay Bakaya are also associated with the new party.

The new development is seen as a positive development vis-a-vis abrogation of Art 370 in J&K as the common citizens will get a local and alternative political platform as for last seven decades things in Kashmir region were monopoly of dynasty based PDP and National Conference.