The Congress and National Conference (NC) have jointly nominated Haji Muhammad Hanifa Jan as their candidate for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat. This decision was finalised and approved by both parties on Wednesday, showcasing a united front for the upcoming elections. The voting for this crucial constituency is scheduled for the fifth phase on May 20.
The BJP has named advocate Tashi Gyalson as its candidate for the Ladakh seat. Gyalson, a legal practitioner, previously served as a councilor from the Lingshed constituency and was elected as the sixth Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor of Leh in 2020. He switched over to the BJP from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the dissolution of the BJP-PDP coalition government.
The contest for the Ladakh seat is anticipated to be closely watched, given recent political realignments and the historical significance of the region. Ladakh, which became a union territory in 2019, comprises two districts: Kargil and Leh. The Ladakh Hill Autonomous Development Council (LAHDC) elections have traditionally influenced the political landscape of the region, with the BJP dominating in Leh and the NC holding sway in Kargil.
The upcoming election is likely to witness a fierce battle between Gyalson and Jan. The outcome of this contest will not only determine the political representation of Ladakh but also reflect the evolving dynamics in the region's electoral landscape.
The Ladakh Lok Sabha seat has seen a diverse pattern of representation, with Congress, NC, and independents competing for electoral success. While Congress has a legacy of victories dating back to 1967, the BJP has emerged as a formidable force since 2014. However, NC's victories in 1998 and 1999 highlight the unpredictability of the electoral dynamics in Ladakh.
The election in Ladakh will occur at a time when the people of the region are agitating for constitutional safeguards, especially the Sixth Schedule, to protect the region's unique identity, land, jobs, and fragile environment. This agitation is led by noted climate activist Sonam Wangchuk. Last month, he observed a 21-day fast to press for the demand for constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. The people of Ladakh have supported his demand and participated in the hunger strike.
The Ladakh Apex Body, a coalition of different groups and political parties backed by the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association (LAB) and Kargil Democratic alliance, and an amalgamation of political and religious bodies of Kargil, have joined forces for statehood and the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, a promise that helped the BJP win the lone seat in the cold region.
This time, the BJP is not only facing an angry electorate but also a problem within the party, as its previous MP from the region, Tsering Namgayal, has threatened to file his candidature as an independent after the party decided to field Gyalson.
