The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) is a political party in Jammu and Kashmir, India, founded by Altaf Bukhari in March 2020.[1]
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party | |
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Abbreviation | JKAP |
President | Altaf Bukhari |
Secretary | Rafi Ahmed Mir, Vijay Bakaya, Vikram Malhotra |
Founded | 8 March 2020 |
Split from | Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party |
Youth wing | Jammu and Kashmir Apni Youth Federation |
Ideology | Regionalism Developmentalism Secularism |
Colours | Red White and blue |
Seats in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly | 0 / 90 |
Seats in District Development Councils | 12 / 280 |
Party flag | |
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Website | |
jkapniparty | |
The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party was formed on 8 March 2020 by thirty one former members of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party, and Indian National Congress which included former members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and cabinet ministers in the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.[2] Altaf Bukhari was elected as the party's first president
An early success for the new party was its successful campaign to get the central Government of India to amend a recently promulgated law in order to make sure that government jobs in the region continue to be reserved for people with domiciled status.[3]
In November 2020, Junaid Azim Mattu was elected as Mayor of Srinagar and he joined Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party in presence of Altaf Bukhari thus making him first Mayor of the Party.[4][5][6]
The party describes itself as being "of the commoners, by the commoners and for the commoners". One of the party's key demands is the full restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.[7] The party also believes that government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir should be reserved for long standing residents of the region.[8] It wants members of the displaced Kashmiri Hindu community to be able to safely return to their homes in the Kashmir Valley.[9] The party is against the dynastic politics espoused by the Peoples democratic Party, which is dominated by the Sayeed family, the National Conference, which is dominated by the Abdullah family[2] and the Indian National Congress, which is dominated by the Nehru–Gandhi family.
The Youth Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party has named as Jammu and Kashmir Apni Youth Party (JKAYP) while as it's student wing is named as Jammu and Kashmir Apni Student Union.[citation needed]