Apni Party was founded on March 8, 2020, at a time when Jammu and Kashmir was passing through an unprecedented phase of political and administrative turmoil. The region was still grappling with the aftermath of August 5, 2019—the revocation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories—events that had ushered in widespread uncertainty and unrest.
Under the leadership of Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, one of the most influential political figures in Jammu and Kashmir, the party’s core team includes several former MLAs, MLCs, and ministers. Mr. Bukhari himself has served the erstwhile state in key portfolios, including Minister for Works and Floriculture, and later as Minister for Education and Finance between 2014 and 2019.
Post August 5, 2019, it took the leaders several months of deliberation and discussion to establish the organisation, whose primary aim was to stand by the people during that time of uncertainty and to safeguard their fragile rights.
At that time, the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir was under lockdown, with thousands of people behind bars and no telecommunication links available.
After forming the Apni Party, its leadership initiated communication with the Union Government. On March 15, 2020, a delegation led by Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari visited New Delhi to meet the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Home Minister, and other senior government leaders. During the meeting, they successfully advocated for the retention of exclusive rights for local residents over land and government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir. This marked the Apni Party’s first major achievement—safeguarding land and employment rights for the people of J&K—just a week after its formation.
Apni Party’s agenda is rooted in its commitment to promoting sustained peace, prosperity, and development in Jammu and Kashmir, with the ultimate goal of ensuring the political and economic empowerment of its people. The party is also committed to continuing its efforts for the restoration of statehood and the safeguarding of other rights for the region.
The party has an active cadre at the grassroots level across all twenty districts of Jammu and Kashmir and continues to gain growing public acceptance with each passing day.
The party has an active cadre at the grassroots level across all twenty districts of Jammu and Kashmir and continues to gain growing public acceptance with each passing day.
Apni Party believes in the politics of truth and realism, and it is striving to remove the atmosphere of mistrust between the people and the government.
The party will continue to strive for the restoration of the same rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir that the people in the rest of the country are entitled to. We will also remain steadfast in protecting these rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.