New Delhi, June 13: Newly elected Member of Parliament, Mohammad Haneefa Jan, has reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and the restoration of statehood. Jan, who contested as an independent candidate after resigning from the National Conference, emphasized that his priority lies in addressing the fundamental rights of his constituency.
Speaking exclusively to a news agency, Jan highlighted the unique nature of the recent elections in Ladakh, emphasizing that voters focused solely on issues rather than traditional religious or regional affiliations. The demand for safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and the restoration of statehood has been a recurrent theme in the region since Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir to become a Union Territory in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370.
The four-point agenda proposed by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, including demands for a separate public service commission, two separate Lok Sabha seats, and other administrative reforms, has garnered widespread support among the populace. However, these demands were rejected by the Home Ministry just before the elections, sparking protests led by prominent figures like climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) replacing sitting MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal with Tashi Gyalson, the chairman of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council, during the elections, the party faced disappointment as it could only secure the third position. Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, leader of the opposition in the LAHDC, finished second.
Jan emphasized the discontent among Ladakhis regarding the Union Territory setup, citing concerns over future employment prospects and the uncertainty surrounding educational opportunities. He stressed that nearly 80% of Ladakh’s population expressed dissatisfaction with the status quo through their votes.
In his efforts to address these concerns, Jan recently met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to discuss the demands of the Ladakhi people. He intends to approach leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the INDIA bloc to garner support for his cause. However, he reiterated his commitment to remaining an independent lawmaker, stating that he would continue to represent the interests of Ladakh through the Ladakh Democratic Alliance.
Jan emphasized that achieving statehood is crucial for Ladakhis to exercise their sovereignty and take autonomous decisions. Additionally, he highlighted pressing issues such as unemployment, the need for infrastructure development, and restoring the old pension scheme.
Regarding his predecessor, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Jan remarked that the former MP was “shown the door” by his own party, referencing the public’s response to Namgyal’s performance and statements in Parliament.
As Ladakh’s representative in the Indian Parliament, Jan seeks to address the aspirations and concerns of his constituents, advocating for their rights and socio-economic development on the national stage.
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