Apni Party’s Vice President Zaffar Iqbal Manhas on Sunday said that the hero-worshiping of the traditional political leaders and misuse of the power of the vote caused massive damage to the interests of the people in Jammu and Kashmir during the past more than seventy years.
He was speaking at Apni Party’s public rally in the Lohi Mallar area of Bani Bilawar Jammu.
Party’s provincial President (Jammu) Manjit Singh, State President of the party’s ST Wing Saleem Choudhary, State Vice President of the Party’s Youth Wing Raqeeq Khan, Provincial President of Youth Wing Vipul Bali, and other senior leaders also addressed the rally. The programme was organized by the party’s District President (Kathua rural) Yasir Choudhary.
According to a press statement issued here, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas expressed sorrow over the lack of development and raisin poverty and unemployment in J&K.
He said, “It is sad to see that even after 75 years of independence Jammu and Kashmir, besides grappling with enhancing poverty and rising unemployment, lacks development in all the sectors of life. Even the overall condition of our health and education sectors is pathetic.”
He blamed the conventional political parties and their leaders, who have ruled J&K over the years and decades, for the lack of development here. He said, “We have not been left behind because of any scarcity of funds; we are facing this pathetic situation because our leaders, over the years, have been looting and plundering the wealth that was meant for the development here. The saddest part is that the people have been hero-worshipping the same politicians for all these years. They kept them electing to rule.”
“We have misused the power of the vote in favor of these traditional political leaders, who created empires for themselves and let the common people suffer the lack of development, poverty, and unemployment.” He added.
He urged people not to fall prey to these traditional political parties and their leaders anymore.
He said, “You must know the power of your vote and choose the right people to represent you and serve you in the government.”
He assured that Apni Party and its leadership will never compromise with interests of the people. He said, “Apni Party’s politics is based on truthfulness. Unlike the traditional political parties, Apni Party does not believe in emotional slogans and false promises. We do not promise moon and the stars to our people. We promise only what we believe is achievable. Apni Party’s key agenda is to work for the peace, prosperity and the development of Jammu and Kashmir. Also, we want J&K people politically and economically empowered, and we will continue striving for these goals.”
Zaffar Iqbal Manhas also emphasized the restoration of peace. He said, “Peace and communal harmony is of utmost importance for the prosperity and development of this region. Unless we have a peaceful atmosphere here, we cannot have prosperity and development. Thus, we ought to work for peace and tranquility. Also, we have to bridge the gap created by the communal politicians between the people of Jammu and the Valley. Communal harmony between the people of different faiths and religions will enable us to pave the way for a sustained phase of prosperity and development.”
Zaffar Iqbal Manhas expressed his grief over the recent killing of a Kashmiri pandit in south Kashmir’s Shopian. He said, “It is heart-wrenching to see an innocent person falling prey to this brutality. How long will this bloodshed continue? People of J&K have already been suffering from the violence for more than three decades and we have already lost thousands of people. This mindless violence must be put to an end.”
