The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has announced its support for the pad yatra to Delhi, which advocates for a four-point agenda for Ladakh. This announcement was made by KDA Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai, who stated that the alliance will join the pad yatra upon its arrival in Delhi.

The statement was delivered at a press conference today, attended by KDA Co-Chairmen Qamar Ali Akhone and Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai, along with representatives from Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust, Anjuman Jamiat Ulema Isna Ashriya Kargil, Anjuman Sahib Zaman Sankoo, LAHDC Kargil, District Congress Committee, student organizations, and others.

Qamar Ali Akhone, addressing the media, emphasized that the KDA has decided to support the pad yatra to Delhi, led by activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Leh Apex Body. The yatra, which commenced on September 1, is set to culminate in Delhi on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti.

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Co-Chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai reiterated that the objectives of the pad yatra align with the four-point agenda that both the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the KDA have been advocating for the past three years. He confirmed that Kargil leaders, including the Member of Parliament and LAHDC members, will join the pad yatra in Delhi.

When questioned about the delayed support for the march, Karbalai explained that both the pad yatra and an earlier hunger strike were initiatives by Sonam Wangchuk, which the LAB later endorsed. He noted that a core committee was formed to coordinate the protest activities of both the LAB and KDA. However, the LAB’s unilateral decisions to proceed without consulting the KDA led to delays in their support.

Karbalai further mentioned that some elements were trying to disrupt the unity between the two bodies to weaken the movement. He also stated that the KDA had initially proposed leading a march from Kargil to Delhi via Jammu and Kashmir. However, due to the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir after a decade, the timing was deemed inappropriate. Consequently, the decision was made to join the pad yatra directly in Delhi.