J&K: Apni Party announces support for People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone in Baramulla

Srinagar, Apr 22 (PTI) The Apni Party on Monday extended its support to People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency.

Party chief Altaf Bukhari announced the support for Lone during a press conference, days after Lone had sought his help to consolidate the anti-National Conference votes in the constituency.

Lone is contesting against Omar Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president and a former chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.

“We have fielded candidates from two constituencies — Srinagar and Anantnag-Rajouri. We have not fielded any candidate from north Kashmir and I am happy to announce that we will be extending support to the People’s Conference, led by Lone there,” Bukhari said.

Lone on Saturday sought support from the Apni Party to consolidate all anti-National Conference votes in north Kashmir, claiming that it benefits from the fragmentation of votes.

“I appeal to Altaf Bukhari, let us stop the division of votes in north Kashmir and let them support us there,” Lone had said.

The People’s Conference chief had also assured its 100 per cent support to the Apni Party in Srinagar in return.

Baramulla goes to the polls in the fifth phase on May 20 while Srinagar will vote in the fourth phase on May 13.

Bukhari said the party decided to support Lone as he represents a new kind of politics.

“I advise the traditional politicians to please retire. You have not been able to be loyal to the people. Now, let us live in peace. Do not tell our youth that we have to fight for 100 years. We do not have to fight anything,” he said.

“Our destiny was decided in 1947 and our destiny has been written with India and I will continue to say that yes, Delhi has given us wounds but the treatment of those wounds is only with Delhi and not London or Washington or Islamabad,” he added.

Bukhari also claimed that his party has become a political force in Kashmir.

“These people are the constituency heads from 18 (assembly) constituencies of north Kashmir,” he said, referring to his party colleagues present at the press meet.

“It is because of their hard work that the party has become a political force and political parties today understand that they need our support. I credit the people and my colleagues for it,” Bhukhari added.

The Apni Party chief also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to bring a change in the elections.

Meanwhile, Lone welcomed the Apni Party’s support and conveyed his gratitude to it leadership, especially Bukhari.

Lone said the Apni Party’s positive response to his request for support has been “very warming”.

“I express my sincere gratitude to Syed Altaf Bukhari and leaders of the Apni Party for extending support to our party in the Baramulla constituency in response to our request for support,” he said.

Lone also extended his best wishes to Apni Party and People’s Conference leaders for the electoral contest.