Ladakh leaders push for two LS seats to bridge political divides

Jammu: Leaders from the two ideologically distinct districts of Leh and Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh believe that creating two separate parliamentary constituencies could resolve the decades-long political disputes between the Buddhist-dominated Leh and the Shia Muslim-majority Kargil once and for all. While the demand for separate constituencies is not new and forms part of a broader four-point agenda submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), these leaders are now vigorously pushing the issue, especially in the wake of the recent Lok Sabha elections, where all religious, social, and political groups in the Kargil district rallied together, fielded a consensus candidate, and ensured his decisive victory in the elections.
The renewed emphasis on this demand stems from a widespread perception in the region that a Lok Sabha member elected from one district tends to prioritize the development of their home district while allegedly neglecting the aspirations of the other. A senior leader of Leh Apex Body (LAB), who declined to be named, candidly admitted that serious differences cropped up between LAB and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) after the latter’s decision to field a consensus candidate based on religious grounds.
“The decision was purely religious and communal, aimed at defeating the Buddhist candidate from Leh district. We had been united in fighting for the larger cause of implementing a four-point agenda but their (KDA) decision was entirely along religious lines. It felt like a deep betrayal. Such a situation could have been avoided,” the leader said.
Chering Dorjay Lakrook, veteran LAB leader, told The News Now that the demand for separate parliamentary constituencies is essential to resolving all long-standing disputes between the two districts. “Whatever we witnessed in the Lok Sabha polls, it highlighted the core issue. This is why we are asking for two separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and districts. It will address perceptions of discrimination and end differences, ensuring fair representation for both districts,” the senior Buddhist leader said.
When contacted, Haji Haneefa Jan, the consensus candidate from Kargil who won the Ladakh seat earlier this year, signified two major reasons for strongly pushing the demand. “Ladakh is the largest parliamentary seat in the country by area, and it becomes extremely challenging for an elected representative to visit all parts of the constituency. For instance, the distance between a village in Drass and another village in the Changthang area is nearly 600-km. The same distance exists between Nubra and Zanskar. It’s virtually impossible to visit every part of the constituency within a year,” he explained.
He also emphasized Ladakh’s strategic importance while stressing the need for peace and unity among all communities. “Currently, any elections are causing religious and regional divides between the two districts, undermining efforts to establish lasting communal harmony. We are determined to push this demand and remain hopeful for a positive response from the Centre, if not sooner, then by 2026 when the next delimitation of constituencies is expected,” he added.
If one looks at the results of the last eight Lok Sabha elections held on Ladakh seats, four candidates each from Kargil and Leh managed to win the elections in two districts of the region that were religiously and ideologically divided.
In the last Lok Sabha elections, serious differences cropped up between two bodies (LAB and KDA) following the victory of Haji Haneefa Jan after some active members of the KDA issued highly ‘provocative’ statements especially the demand of merging Ladakh again with the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
They had even claimed that the victory of Haji Haneefa Jan was a “referendum” against the decision of the Union Government to abrogate Article 370 and grant Union Territory status to Ladakh—a demand that had been made by the people of Ladakh, particularly Leh district since decades.

Updated On 11/20/2024 4:14:10 AM

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