Following the conclusion of the winter session of Parliament, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are set to engage in discussions with the Union Government. They will bring forth a comprehensive document and a roadmap outlining the future direction for this mountainous Union Territory.
The meeting would be chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and discussions would be taken to the further level. Confirming that further talks would be held with the central government, President Leh Apex Body (LAB) Thupstan Chhewang said that they are making the document along with Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), as desired by the Union Home Ministry.
“We will focus on statehood and sixth schedule and will stick to our stand” Chhewang told this reporter. The united leadership of Ladakh is determined to carry on talks with the Union Ministry so that they get most of their demands met before the model code of conduct for the next Lok Sabha elections would be implemented after a few months.
There is a lot of political activity and political posturing in the two districts of Leh and Kargil especially after the Supreme Court recently upheld the central government’s decision to abrogate article 370 and creation of two UTs Ladakh and J&K. The two districts of Leh and Kargil have responded to the SC verdict in a divergent manner.
The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court while Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has called the verdict as unsatisfactory. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) in a statement said, “Central government should give Ladakh its due by elevating it as a full-fledged state… The large area, highly patriotic population waiting for due recognition, needs not only development but also statehood”.
Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) said that they disagree with the Supreme Court judgement on article 370.