The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Ladakh): In Ladakh, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is grappling with internal challenges and broader regional demands for constitutional protections. Tashi Gyalson, the party’s nominee and current chairman-cum-CEC, recently filed his nomination papers amid controversy as the incumbent MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgayal, opted out of the event, signaling a potential split by declaring his intent to run as an independent.
Namgayal, who secured the Ladakh seat for the BJP in the 2019 elections, has been rallying support after the party chose Gyalson over him for the upcoming contest. His decision to pursue an independent candidacy came after acquiring a nomination form on April 30, despite efforts by BJP leaders such as national general secretary Tarun Chug and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to dissuade him.
This rift within the BJP occurs amidst significant political movements in Ladakh, where demands for Statehood and the inclusion in the Sixth Schedule have intensified. These demands are supported by the KDA and the Leh Apex Body (LAB), backed by the influential Ladakh Buddhists Association (LBA). The region, which celebrated its new status as a Union Territory after being separated from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, has seen growing calls for enhanced protections for local land, jobs, and identity following the abrogation of Article 370.
While the Centre has promised to meet the constitutional safeguards appropriate for Ladakh, local groups continue to push for specific nomenclature adjustments. The issue has drawn national attention, especially after environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk’s 21-day hunger strike in support of these demands. The ongoing political developments suggest a complex electoral season ahead for the BJP in this strategically crucial region.