Ladakh deal may have hit a political speed breaker

The administrative breakthrough between the Union Home Ministry and Ladakh's Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) may have hit a political roadblock.

- Faisul Yaseen

The top brass at the Centre remains reluctant to grant Ladakh a full-fledged Legislative Assembly or statehood, even as it offers an elected administrative structure with legislative, executive, and financial powers along with constitutional safeguards under Article 371.

Senior member of KDA Sajjad Kargili dispelled any immediate notions of the success of talks by posting on microblogging site X, "Negotiations are a continuous process, and discussions are still underway. As of now, no final agreement or concrete outcome has been reached. We had shared our draft proposals demanding statehood and sixth schedule, and the government has now responded with certain suggestions. They are expected to come up with a formal draft before next meeting.