Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deputed two senior BJP leaders to Ladakh to address the concerns of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Jamyang Tsering Jamgyal, who was overlooked by the party for the lone Ladakh Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
According to the sources, the BJP has tasked former minister Sat Sharma and former legislator Vikram Randhawa with the responsibility of reconciling with Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s decision to nominate Tashi Gyalson, the incumbent Chief Executive Councillor of Leh Council, for the seat.
The leaders are set to engage in discussions with Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and his supporters to rationalize the party’s stance, considering the current circumstances in the region. Additionally, they will oversee the readiness of the local unit for the nomination papers to be filed by Tashi Gyalson on May 1. The party’s secretary general (organisation), Ashok Koul, will join them during the nomination filing process.
Sources remain optimistic about the success of these efforts to placate the incumbent Lok Sabha member, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who has affirmed his loyalty to the BJP.
On April 25, Namgyal condemned individuals spreading false statements against the Prime Minister in his name, reaffirming his allegiance to the party. This clarification followed Namgyal’s discontent with the party’s decision on April 23, where he criticized the decision to replace him with Tashi Gyalson, labeling it as unjust to a committed party worker. Namgyal vowed to assess the situation carefully before determining his next steps.
Expressing his frustration upon reaching Leh town, Namgyal questioned the party’s decision, emphasizing his contributions to the party in Ladakh. While affirming his current alignment with the party’s ideology, Namgyal indicated a collective decision with his supporters regarding future actions.
Notably, Namgyal gained attention in 2019 for his impassioned speech in the Lok Sabha advocating for the repeal of Article 370 and the establishment of Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. His recent statements suggest a potential rift within the party, which could impact its electoral prospects in the region.
The BJP, which secured victory in the Ladakh Parliamentary seat in the past two Lok Sabha elections, faces growing discontent from protesters over unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh’s constitutional status. These internal divisions may adversely affect the party’s electoral performance. The polling for the Ladakh seat is scheduled for May 20.
