SRINAGAR: In an interesting turn of events, all the political parties – including the BJP – have joined hands to boycott the LAHDC poll till the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not extended to the desert region. The schedule gives the region certain protection to protect its socio-cultural identity.

The LAHDC Leh is scheduled to go for polls on October 16 for its 26 of the 30 berths.

“People’s Movement for Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, an amalgam of different political parties and socio-religious organizations, has announced its decision to boycott the forthcoming polls held by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC),” the Outlook reported from Srinagar. “The group said that it would boycott the polls until the constitutional safeguard under the sixth schedule on the lines of Bodo Territorial Council is extended to Ladakh. Interestingly, the BJP is also a signatory to the poll boycott statement issued by the organisation today.”

The region is fearful of a demographic shift after the Government of India read down Article 370 and binned Article 35A.

The statement by the Peoples’ Movement issued today was signed by 12 members representing different social, religious and political groups. The report has identified them as representatives of Congress, BJP, Ladakh Buddhist Association, All Ladakh Gonpa Association, Anjuman-e-Moin-ul-Islam, Aam Adami Party and others.

The statement was a follow up to the resolution passed by the top leaders on September 3.

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