by Jahangir Sofi
SRINAGAR: Ladakh is embroiled in a political storm as the Lok Sabha elections loom closer, with tensions rising between the National Conference (NC) and Congress. The nomination filing of Tsering Namgyal from the Congress party for the Ladakh parliamentary seat in Leh has exposed the rift between the two major political entities.
The discord surfaced when the NC fielded Haji Hanifa Jan, supported by the Kargil unit of Congress. However, disagreement within the Leh unit of Congress led to Namgyal’s nomination instead, leaving the NC contemplating its next move in the electoral arena. The INDIA alliance upheld his candidature.
This disagreement further highlights the strain in the collaboration between Congress and NC for the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh elections. With Ladakh’s seat as per the alliance agreement designated to Congress, the decision intensifies the divide between the two parties, raising questions about the cohesion of the India bloc alliance.
The India Bloc alliance, which aimed for mutual support among its partners as per the agreement, is now facing fractures as NC fielded its candidates in Kashmir, deviating from the agreed-upon strategy. This move has left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with no option but to field their candidates in Kashmir, further complicating the political landscape.
The discord at the national level is mirrored in Ladakh, where a split between local NC and Congress leadership has disrupted the alliance agreement.
Unlike the INDIA alliance bloc, the BJP has managed its turf well. It changed the incumbent offering mandate to Gaylson. Initially, the Tsering Namgyal resented and threatened to contest independently but the party managed him well and yesterday he was seen campaigning for his successor.
Meanwhile, the reports from Ladakh suggest the Returning Officer has rejected three nomination papers including two covering candidates for BJP and Congress and an independent leaving five candidates in the fray. The last date for withdrawal of the candidature is May 6.
The five candidates who are in the fray include BJP’s Tashi Gyalson and Congress’ Tsering Namgyal are from Leh; Mohammad Haneefa Jan, Sajjad Hussain Kargili, and Kacho Mohd Feroz from Kargil.
