LAB seeks united political front to press for statehood, Sixth Schedule demands

As Ladakh leaders await an invitation from the Central government for a fresh round of talks, the Leh Apex Body (LAB)—one of the two principal groups engaged in negotiations—has appealed to local political parties to disband their district units and join the Apex Body for what it termed a “united struggle.”

On Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) local unit in Leh became the first political party to respond to the appeal, announcing its support for the move.

LAB co-chairman Cherring Dorjay Lakruk told The Tribune that he had urged all local political leaders to dissolve their party units. “I have sent an appeal to everyone to dissolve all political parties in Ladakh and unite under the Apex Body. The aim is to bring everyone on a single platform,” he said.

Lakruk said such a move was the need of the hour to strengthen the region’s collective demands.

Responding to the appeal, AAP’s Leh district unit announced that it had decided to dissolve its party unit in the district, subject to the condition that all political parties in Leh dissolve simultaneously. “The demand for the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule shall not be compromised under any circumstances,” the party said in a statement.

The development echoes a similar political mobilisation in 2002, when the Ladakh Union Territory Front—a conglomerate of political parties—was formed to press for Union Territory status. Ladakh was eventually granted UT status in 2019.

The LAB’s appeal comes amid concerns among Ladakh leaders over delays by the Central government in convening the next round of talks. In October, subcommittee-level discussions were held between Home Ministry representatives and Ladakh leaders, following which a draft proposal outlining key demands—including statehood and Sixth Schedule status—was submitted. However, there has been no clarity on when the next round of talks will take place.

The Apex Body’s move also comes days after the formation of a new group called the “Voice of Buddhist Ladakh.” The group, led by Skarma Namtak, recently met Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Bhavan on January 2.

Claiming growing public support, Namtak told The Tribune that the group was formed as the interests of the Buddhist community were being ignored. “The voices of Buddhist people were not being correctly represented,” he said, adding that the group opposed the demand for statehood, arguing that it would marginalise the Buddhist community.

The Leh Apex Body, however, dismissed the new outfit, alleging it was formed to weaken the Apex Body’s position ahead of talks. “The new group has no support on the ground. The aim is to divide the people,” Lakruk said.