Asserting that Kashmir has always treated Ladakh as a step-mother, BJP MP from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said that citizens of Ladakh have welcomed the central government's decision to announce Ladakh as Union Territory without a legislature.

"I welcome the Bill on behalf of everyone in Ladakh. People there wanted the region to be a Union Territory. People in Ladakh always wanted the region to be free from the dominance and discrimination of Kashmir,that is happening today," said Namgyal.

"This decision will lead to the development of Ladakh. People of Ladakh always wanted to stay in touch with the central government directly, that's why we were demanding to announce Ladakh as UnionTerritory," he added. Namgyal believes that this decision is extremely beneficial for the development of Ladakh and border security.

On being asked about the regional parties condemning thecentral government's decision, Namgyal said, "These political parties donot think for the betterment of this nation. They just want to run their familybusiness and that is what they have been doing." "Political partiesin Kashmir have always discriminated Ladakh as a part of their state, be it inthe area of development, funding, and employment. Kashmir has always treatedLadakh as a step-mother," Namgyal added.