New Delhi, May 23, KNT: Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have jointly submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards on the lines of Articles 371-A, 371-F and 371-G, a proposal that was discussed during a meeting held with MHA representatives on Friday.
The proposal is now expected to be placed before a High-Powered Committee for further deliberation.
The meeting assumes significance as demands for constitutional protection and democratic safeguards have remained central to Ladakh’s political discourse since the region became a Union Territory without a legislature following the 2019 reorganization.
Ladakh was represented in the meeting by Asghar Ali Karbalai, Sajjad Kargili, Ghulam Rasool Nagwi, Lukruk Dorjey, Sonam Wangchuk and Dorjey Stanzin.
According to the joint statement issued by LAB and KDA, the discussions focused on restoration of democratic governance, constitutional safeguards and future political arrangements for Ladakh.
The two bodies claimed that officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs conveyed during deliberations that constitutional safeguards on the pattern of Articles 371-A, 371-F and 371-G may be possible for Ladakh.
However, the statement said MHA authorities expressed reservations regarding immediate statehood.
According to LAB and KDA, the Ministry reportedly conveyed that full statehood for Ladakh was not presently feasible due to limited revenue generation and resource constraints.
The statement further claimed that discussions explored a framework where legislative, executive and financial powers could rest with an elected Union Territory-level body while constitutional and legal modalities continue to be worked out.
LAB and KDA described the meeting as constructive and said they would continue engagement with the Centre and constitutional experts to refine operational details of the proposal.
Notably, there has been no official statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the claims made by LAB and KDA or the contents of the discussions.
The absence of a formal response from the Centre leaves uncertainty regarding the extent of agreement and the future course of the proposal.
Meanwhile, BJP Ladakh welcomed the development and supported the ongoing dialogue process concerning Ladakh’s political and constitutional future.
The latest engagement reflects continuing negotiations between Ladakh-based groups and the Centre over governance, representation and constitutional protections, issues that have remained politically sensitive in both Leh and Kargil. [KNT]
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