6th LAHDC election:- BJP clean sweeps all the 5 seats of Nubra valley

BJP on Monday cleans sweeps all the five seats of Nubra valley, on which polls were held on 22 October.

Leh Oct, 26 (PTK) The polls were being held amid resentment over the BJP-led Centre’s failure in ensuring constitutional protection for Ladakh’s resources and cultural identity. There are demands for the implementation of Constitution’s Sixth Schedule in the region for these safeguards. Ladakh was split from Jammu & Kashmir and declared a Union Territory last year when Constitution’s Article 370, which that provided these safeguards, was also nullified.

“People are in favour of the BJP and the issue of the Sixth Schedule is over because the Apex Body of People’s Movement [ABPM] comprising older leaders recently went to Delhi, where they met [Union] home minister Amit Shah, who has given them an assurance to fulfil their demand,” said LAHDC chief executive councillor and BJP leader Gyal P Wangyal over the phone. “I am very much confident that the home minister will fulfil his promise.”

Wangyal, who emphasised he was not privy to the specifics of the talks between the apex body and Shah, said he has no doubt that the BJP will win the elections under Ladakh Parliament member Jamyang Tsering Namgyal’s leadership.

Elections to the hill council are held every five years. The BJP has 18 seats in the outgoing 30-member council, while the Congress five, and the National Conference two.

Former BJP lawmaker Thupstan Chhewang has formed the ABPM to seek constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule on the lines of north-eastern states. The umbrella group includes political and religious organisations and the Ladakh Buddhist Association. It is also seeking legislative powers for two councils in Leh and Kargil.

Following Shah’s assurance, the body withdrew its call for a boycott of the council polls.(PTK)