Only two families would lose livelihood with scrapping of Article 370: Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha member from Ladakh seat, on Tuesday said that people of his region want to be freed from the dominance and discrimination of Kashmir and welcomed Modi government’s move to abrogate Article 370 saying only two families will be affected with it.

“What will be lost with this decision? Only two families will lose livelihood otherwise the entire Kashmir will have a bright future. (Sirf do pariwar rozi-roti khoyenge aur Kashmir ka bhavishya ujjwal hone wala hai),” Namgyal said.

He said protests by parties like the National Conference and PDP should be ignored as they considered the state their "family business".

Recounting how Ladakh has been fighting for a Union Territory status for the last 71 years, Namgyal also accused the UPA government of ignoring the Ladakh.

“UPA gave Kashmir a central University in 2011, Jammu fought and took a central university. I was a Student Union leader. We demanded for a Central University in Ladakh, but we didn't get any. PM Modi Ji recently gave us a university, 'Modi Hai to Mumkin Hai',” he said.

Impressed with Namgyal's speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Ladakh MP for presenting the aspirations of people of Ladakh. 

"My young friend, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal who is @MPLadakh delivered an outstanding speech in the Lok Sabha while discussing key bills on J&K. He coherently presents the aspirations of our sisters and brothers from Ladakh. It is a must hear!" he tweeted.

Earlier, the Ladakh MP hailed the Union government's decision to revoke Article 370 and grant his constituency Union Territory status, saying it will usher in development and strengthen border security.

Namgyal said the decision was necessary for Jammu and Kashmir's overall development and is in the national interest as it will strengthen border security.

People of Ladakh had been demanding a UT status for the region since 1948 as they were always discriminated against by "Kashmir-centric leaders", he said.

The government on Monday revoked Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and proposed that the state be bifurcated into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Jammu and Kashmir will be the largest union territory (UT) in the country in terms of the area once it is carved out and Ladakh, will be the second largest UT after it comes to force.