The Hindu : National / Elections 2004 : BJP muddies the waters in Ladakh

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Wednesday, May 05, 2004

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National - Elections 2004

BJP muddies the waters in Ladakh

Shujaat Bukhari

It is an interesting contest in Ladakh this time. The Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) floated shortly before 2002 Assembly elections is again trying to get a consensus over its candidate Thupstan Chhewang, the chairman of Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). However, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) this time has decided to go on its own. It has fielded Sonam Paljor much against the wishes of the LUTF, which has been harping on grant of Union Territory status to the Ladakh region. On its part the Congress, which has the total control over the LAHDC, has agreed to back Mr. Chhewang's candidature.

The Ladakh Lok Sabha seat is one of the smallest in the country population wise but one of the largest area wise. It used to be a Congress bastion until 1989 when the Buddhists united under the banner of the Ladakh Buddhists Association (LBA), which spearheaded the movement for separating the region from Kashmir. This led to a complete communal divide in the region, with Muslims who are in majority in neighbouring Kargil district, uniting to oppose the LBA. In the 1989 Lok Sabha election, the divide was formally reflected in the victory of Mohammad Hussain Commander as an Independent.

However, the demand for Union Territory status was supported by New Delhi. This resulted in creation of the LAHDC, laying the foundation for an autonomous region within the State. However, the Kargil region refused to toe the Leh line and rejected the idea of having a Hill Council stating that they would continue to cast their lot with the Kashmiris. But realising they lagged behind in development, the people in Kargil decided to accept the Hill Council.

Muslims, who form the 51 percent of total population in both Leh and Kargil districts, were able to unite politically by 1998. With the backing of the two most powerful institutions in Kargil, the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT) and the Islamia School, they made victory possible for National Conference candidate, Aga Syed Hussain Motamidi. This was repeated in 1999 when Hassan Khan, a former police officer won the seat on the NC ticket.

This time, however, the strong vote bank has developed cracks. Haji Nissar Ali, a minister in Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's coalition Government has fielded his own candidate, Wazir Ali. Apparently Wazir Ali has been fielded on the directions of Mr. Sayeed to ensure the NC candidate's defeat.

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