00:00We thought this is the best time to take care of the interests of the people and came forward.
00:05What's the Prime Minister's vision about Kashmir?
00:10I know there is a realization that we have to carry the people of J&K along.
00:19And if the Government of India and the Prime Minister carry the people of J&K along,
00:32peace and stability will be a permanent affair.
00:40It is something to do with our identity.
00:43Having said that, when I came, I have the only satisfaction
00:47that we got back at least protection for lands and jobs.
00:53The election fever has gripped Kashmir Valley.
00:56Many new parties that were floated after last Assembly elections are contesting elections.
01:01Apni Party is one of them.
01:03We have with us the founder of Apni Party, Mr. Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari Sahib.
01:08Bukhari Sahib, thank you for speaking to us.
01:10When did you realize that Apni Party should come into existence?
01:17When the Government of India abrogated Article 370 and 35A,
01:22the traditional politicians were nowhere to be seen because everybody was under custody, including me.
01:29So we thought this is the best time
01:32to take care of the interests of the people and came forward.
01:36And do you think that Apni Party can be an alternative to other traditional parties?
01:41That is how everybody starts a party and that is what we believe.
01:45We have been there in the field.
01:46We are not a new party.
01:47We have been there for five years.
01:49We have served people.
01:51Nobody was serving people.
01:53Today you see many people, many parties old and new,
01:58but where were they for the last five years when people needed them the most?
02:01Sir, from a businessman to a politician, how has your journey been so far?
02:08I don't think there is much of a difference
02:12shifting from politics to business because in business you work for yourself.
02:19Here you work for people and this gives you a lot of satisfaction.
02:23After you are done with working for yourself,
02:26then you start working for people, which gives you immense pleasure.
02:30And what's easy?
02:31Is business easy or is politics easy?
02:33Everything is difficult in its own way.
02:37Sir, you have been a founding member of the People's Democratic Party.
02:41I have not been a founding member.
02:43I joined People's Democratic Party much after its existence
02:47when they were looking for somebody to represent them in Srinagar.
02:53I had family relations with the Muftis, so that is how I was involved.
02:58But what was...
03:00I don't want to dwell on those things.
03:02Today is a new chapter in the democratic process.
03:11A new chapter in my life also.
03:13I don't want to remember what was past.
03:18Sir, will we see a sunrise in Avani Party?
03:23Any of your children, do you think they are willing to join politics?
03:27I have two sons.
03:29Alhamdulillah, they are both settled in their businesses.
03:36Maybe when they take retirement from their business,
03:41what they do, nobody knows what is tomorrow.
03:45Sir, you have met the Prime Minister a couple of times.
03:48What's the Prime Minister's vision about Kashmir?
03:53I know there is a realisation that we have to carry the people of J&K along.
04:04If the Government of India and the Prime Minister carry the people of J&K along,
04:15peace and stability will be a permanent affair.
04:23What are your expectations from the Assembly elections?
04:26My expectations are, if we are returned to power,
04:30we will declare a general amnesty for our youngsters
04:35and we will strive to get this statehood back.
04:39There are many things besides what is in our manifesto.
04:43Sir, you have been very critical about the abrogation of Article 370.
04:48But do you think with Article 370 abolished,
04:52the Kashmir issue is far more over now?
04:58Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A will never be forgotten by Kashmiris.
05:04It is something to do with our identity.
05:07Having said that, when I came, I have the only satisfaction
05:11that we got back at least protection for lands and jobs.
05:19Mind you, the people of J&K will never forget the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A.
05:27Sir, many senior leaders have left the party. Is it a big setback anyway?
05:32Every person leaving a party is a setback. But in election time, that is how it goes.
05:39How is Mr. Altaf Bukhari's party different from the traditional parties?
05:45We have proved we serve people in the difficult times after 2019.
05:51These traditional parties were nowhere to be seen.
05:54We believe in truth and selfless service.
05:58And would Altaf Bukhari be a part of any government formation?
06:02We are not part of any alliance today.
06:06What is in store tomorrow, my people will decide.
06:09My people means people of J&K will decide.
06:13But mind you, we will not be a part of NDA alliance or India alliance.
06:19Thank you so much, sir.
06:21That was Mr. Syed Altaf Bukhari speaking exclusively to One India
06:25with camera person Irfan Shah Izhar Ali in Srinagar for One India.
06:30Don't miss out. Log on to OneIndia.com for more updates.
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