Ankit Love Demands Full Statehood for Ladakh, Calls for Elected Assembly and Chief Minister

Leh, Ladakh, May 10 (PTK): Ankit Love has demanded full statehood for Ladakh, calling for the immediate establishment of a 17-member elected Legislative Assembly and the post of Chief Minister for the Union Territory.

The demand was raised during a strategic meeting held at the Leh District Court, attended by Ankit Love, Sunny Vibhor, Advocate Mohammad Ramzan Khan and other party leaders. Former Public Prosecutor and Panthers Party Kargil District President Manzoor Ahmed also participated in the discussions through a conference call.

According to the National Panthers Party, Ladakh deserves democratic representation similar to smaller territories globally. The party referred to Gibraltar, which has a 17-member parliament and a Chief Minister despite having a much smaller geographical area and population compared to Ladakh.

Addressing the gathering, Ankit Love questioned why Ladakh, spread over more than 173,000 square kilometres and having a population of around three lakh people, continues without an elected legislature despite India’s democratic framework.

He stated that denying Ladakh a Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister amounts to denying democratic representation to the people of the region.

The party leadership said that democratic empowerment is essential for implementing its proposed “Vision 2046” development agenda, which includes ambitious infrastructure and tourism projects such as a proposed high-speed Maglev rail link and preparations for a future Winter Olympics bid.

Sunny Vibhor said the demand reflects the aspirations of the people of Ladakh for self-governance, political empowerment and stronger representation in decision-making processes.

The National Panthers Party reiterated its commitment to transforming Ladakh into a fully empowered state with an elected government and administrative autonomy.(PTK)