Won’t include Kargil in our demands from now: Leh Congress

Leh : Former member of National Minority Commission and Leh Congress president, T Samphil, has said that given the opposition by people of Kargil to the demand of Union Territory they have decided not to include Kargil while making any demand in future.

He said that BJP-led LAHDC in Leh has completely failed in serving people and as a result there is dismay with regard to State Government and Hill Council among people.

Speaking to Rangyul, Samphil said as people of Kargil have changed their stance towards Kashmir issue, a new policy is under consideration in which only aspirations of people of Leh shall be taken care of. He said that the killings, destruction and losses which are going in Kashmir Valley due to firing and use of pellet guns have saddened them and this should be stopped immediately.

Samphil said that the stand of Ladakhi people has been already cleared with regard to Kashmir issue and when the time of resolving Kashmir issue would come, they will not stand behind anyone over the demand of giving Ladakh a Union Territory status. He said that for attaining Union Territory, the people of Ladakh have given sacrifices and till today no political, religious or social organization have withdrawn this demand.

“For seeking the status of Union Territory, not only Muslims and Buddhists but also Sikhs, Hindus and Christians are in agreement. There has been no change in the demand of Union Territory with the founding or splitting of LUTF,” said Samphil. He said after opposition of Kargil inhabitants to the demand of Union Territory, the people of Leh have now decided that any demand in future would be only for Leh and not for Kargil.

Samphil said that Kargil Congress is party-within-party and that is relying on local politics instead of party policy. “Otherwise, the mistake of polling votes in favour of Opposition candidates by Congress voters won’t have been made,” he said.

Pertinently, the Samphill was Congress candidate in last Parliamentary polls from Ladakh but Kargil Congress on the pretext of ignoring mandate rebelled against him and refused to cast votes in his favour.

Samphill said that the working season is now coming to an end but all projects have come to a halt due to non-availability of funds. He accused BJP council of not only leaving those developmental projects half-way that were started by Congress Council but also charged it of not taking up any new project.

Samphill said that no step has been taken to start work again on the construction of Golf Course, Trans Himalayan Culture Centre, Convention Centre and other mega projects. He said that common people are in distress due to curtailment in ration and increase in the prices of cooking gas and with each passing day the dismay against Hill Council is increasing.

The president of Leh Congress said that BJP leaders on the occasion of polls had promised ‘Achhe Din’ and also promised to open Kailash-Mansar highway but till now neither ‘Acche Din’ came nor was the Highway opened.

He said that Leh inhabitants are facing severe difficulties and in current situation the people have no hope of relief from Government. Samphill said that Congress is keeping an eye on the situation and the party is standing shoulder to shoulder with people and is engaged in ending these difficulties.