Altaf Bukhari accuses government of increasing unemployment and centralizing authority

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari of the Jammu and Kashmir region harshly criticized the local government, accusing it of reducing job opportunities through outsourcing. Speaking at meetings organized by party members in the Khanabal and Achabal areas of southern Kashmir on Friday, Bukhari claimed that the ruling Jammu and Kashmir National Conference party weakened democratic institutions and centralized power in a single hand. Addressing the issue of employment, which is at the center of economic problems across the country, Bukhari argued that the government has failed to launch sufficient employment projects for youth since taking office. The political leader stated that the government delegated thousands of positions to contractors, limiting the chances of local youth finding jobs, and that this policy has further deepened existing unemployment problems.

Deepening his political criticisms, Bukhari also targeted the ruling party's administrative structure, asserting that the centralization of authority hinders local democracy. He claimed that the National Conference, which has moved to concentrate authority in the hands of a single individual after taking office, weakened the strength of democratic institutions and grassroots democracy. Bukhari emphasized that democratic values have been replaced by a culture of political sycophancy, but his own party would continue its struggle to return power to the people and strengthen local institutions. These statements indicate increasing political tension in the region and growing dissatisfaction with the style of governance.

Bukhari also put the government in a difficult position due to the non-fulfillment of many promises made prior to the Assembly elections held in 2024, expressing that no progress has been made, particularly on economic and legal issues. He demanded the fulfillment of commitments such as the restoration of Article 370, the provision of 100,000 new jobs, and the implementation of various social welfare measures, which were voiced by the government during the election period. The failure to keep these promises is cited as one of the most important factors eroding the government's credibility in the eyes of the electorate, and Bukhari characterized this situation as a lack of authority and execution on the part of the current administration.

Claiming that the political representation rights of the southern Kashmir region were violated, Bukhari brought up the fact that none of the seven MPs elected from the region, despite being from the National Conference and Congress alliance, were included in the Cabinet. He asserted that this situation shows the authority and will of the people given in the elections were ignored by the government, saying the alliance contained disrespect towards the people of southern Kashmir. The failure to meet the legitimate expectations of the people of the region stood out as factors leading to the deepening of the political crisis and the alienation of citizens from the administration.

Bukhari also announced his strategic goals for the future, declaring at the party meeting in Achabal that the Apni Party would soon launch a field campaign covering the public in the region and strengthen the grassroots organization. In his speech in Khanabal, he thanked the members who remained loyal to the party, noting that they maintained their loyalty to the organization despite the political difficulties experienced since its establishment. The attendance of high-level officials such as Party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir and Vice President Hilal Ahmad Shah at the event signaled intra-party solidarity and preparations for the upcoming elections.