Jammu: Amid widening differences among Buddhist representatives over the functioning of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and political uncertainty in the Kargil Hill Development Council, Ladakh leaders have formally received an invitation from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the much-awaited meeting of the Sub-Committee to revive the stalled dialogue process.
The meeting is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on May 22 to deliberate on issues concerning the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Confirming the development to The News Now, the newly-appointed Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) co-chairman Sajjad Kargili said that the MHA has telephonically communicated them for the talks.
Three representatives each from the KDA and LAB will participate in the meeting. Ladakh Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa Jan and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, are also expected to attend.
The upcoming talks assume significance in view of the growing differences within LAB, particularly after the acceptance of veteran Buddhist leader and former two-time Lok Sabha member ThupstanChhewang’s resignation as co-chairman. Former minister Nawang Rigzin Jora has also reportedly expressed reluctance to continue as part of the sub-committee, LAB and the dialogue process.
The developments have triggered a public exchange between Chhewang and climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, with Chhewang raising concerns over alleged attempts to influence the dialogue process and questioning issues related to foreign funding.
Chhewang has maintained that any engagement with the Centre would hold value only if it yielded a meaningful outcome for the people of Ladakh. He reiterated the region’s key demands, including constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and full statehood, while expressing doubts over the Centre’s willingness to address them.
Importantly, the talks are scheduled at a time when the political uncertainty has deepened in Kargil following internal differences between the National Conference and Congress despite both parties jointly moving a no-confidence motion against CEC Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon. Notably, 16 councillors from the two parties sought Akhoon’s removal, although he belongs to the National Conference.
A senior leader from Kargil said the ongoing differences within LAB and developments in Kargil have made the May 22 meeting politically “significant and crucial”.
He added that attention would also be on the reconstitution of LAB’s representation in the sub-committee following Chhewang’s resignation and Jora’s withdrawal from the process.
The MHA had earlier announced the meeting date ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Ladakh on April 30 and May 1 through a statement issued by the Lieutenant Governor.
The leader further observed that the political developments in Kargil over power-sharing in the Hill Council could impact the KDA, especially since Akhoon remains a member of both the High-Powered Committee and the Sub-Committee.
Akhoon has refused to step down despite the no-confidence motion and has asserted that he will prove his majority on the floor of the House.
The LAB and KDA have been spearheading an agitation for more than five years, pressing for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. The MHA has already held several rounds of discussions through the High-Powered Committee and Sub-Committee, during which issues related to domicile and reservation were taken up.
