There is a view among large number of Kashmiri Pandits that Union Territory should also be created for them, says BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar. (Representational image)

Days after the imposition of President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar has triggered a fresh debate, demanding a separate state for Jammu.

Talking to India Today, the BJP member in J&K legislative council said Kashmir and Ladakh should be granted Union Territory status while Jammu region should be made a separate state.

Hitting out at the two main regional parties -- National Conference and PDP -- the BJP lawmaker claimed that they failed to do justice to the people and trifurcating the state was the only solution to end the problems in J&K.

"The political parties in J&K have failed to solve the problems of the people. I feel that the state needs to be reorganised. Kashmir and Ladakh should be made Union Territories while Jammu should get statehood. This will give the much needed relief to the people of the state. People need good governance in J&K. The political parties in the Valley are not good enough to deliver. They are even tacitly supporting terrorism," said Surinder Ambardar.

The BJP MLC further said that he was in touch with the prominent "opinion makers" of the country about his model for Jammu and Kashmir and he also expected a positive response from the party leadership.

When asked about the demand of many Kashmiri Pandit organisations for the creation of a Union Territory within the Valley for the displaced Hindus, Ambardar said he had no reservations on that.

"There is a view among large number of Kashmiri Pandits that Union Territory should also be created for them. I don't have any reservations on that demand," he said.

Lashing out at Mehbooba Mufti, Surinder Ambardar said the PDP chief didn't allow equitable development of all three regions of the state during her stint as CM.

"Our experience was Mehbooba Mufti was very bad. I must admit it. The 'agenda of alliance' clearly stated that there will be equitable development of all three regions of the state. Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was committed to the agreement. But Mehbooba Mufti violated the agreement by not doing justice to Jammu, Ladakh, the refugees from west Pakistan, displaced communities from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and displaced Kashmiri Pandits," he added.

Meanwhile, Panun Kashmir, a leading Kashmiri Pandit organisation, has welcomed the statement of Ambardar.

"I hope the BJP leadership listens to Surinder Ambardar's demand. We feel that BJP has betrayed the nationalist forces in J&K. However, Surinder Ambardar's statement is a sign of fresh air. We welcome his demand and hope that the BJP leadership reorganises J&K state," Ajay Chrangoo, chairman of Panun Kashmir, told India Today.

"A Union Territory must be created for the Kashmiri Pandits within the Valley. Only that can reverse the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits," he added.

On the other hand, the BJP has distanced itself from its MLC's demand and said no such proposal was being discussed within the party now. "It is his personal opinion. But the party doesn't want to trifurcate the state. However, we want Union Territory status for Ladakh," said Kavinder Gupta, senior BJP leader and former J&K deputy CM.

The BJP MLC's demand has also evoked sharp reactions from the National Conference. The party has condemned the statement of the BJP lawmaker and reiterated its demand for autonomy for the state.

"BJP MLC's statement clearly shows that the party has failed to govern J&K. We are committed to the unity of J&K. It should stay as one state. We want regional autonomy for the state. That only will address the aspirations of all three regions of J&K," Anil Dhar, senior NC leader, said.