Moments after being dropped from the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat by the party high command, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the incumbent Member of Parliament and a prominent figure within the BJP, swiftly voiced his dissent.
In a statement posted on his Facebook account mere minutes after the decision, Namgyal expressed his dismay at the party’s choice to replace him without clear justification.
He highlighted his communication of disagreement with the party leadership through proper channels, citing the injustice done to a dedicated party worker. Namgyal noted the outpouring of disapproval from hundreds of BJP activists and his supporters across Ladakh. He pledged to assess the situation carefully and chart the next steps, with the welfare of the people of Ladakh as a priority. Namgyal concluded with heartfelt appreciation for his steadfast supporters.
The BJP’s decision saw Tashi Gyalson, Chief Executive Councilor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, nominated as the new candidate for the Ladakh seat, replacing Namgyal.
Tension had been brewing for the past month over the BJP candidate selection for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat, fueled by dissatisfaction with Namgyal’s leadership style among Ladakh residents. Reports indicated a lack of contentment within the party’s central leadership with Namgyal’s focus on national publicity rather than addressing local issues.
Namgyal’s removal as Ladakh BJP chief in January 2022 came amidst criticisms for failing to leverage his influence to quell the agitation in Ladakh, which had escalated into a mass movement. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) had voiced displeasure with Namgyal’s handling of Ladakh’s affairs, particularly after his speech in Parliament regarding the 6th schedule, which drew criticism for not taking a definitive stance on the issue.
Phunchok Stanzin succeeded Namgyal as Ladakh BJP president, appointed in July 2020, with the latter’s tenure cut short. Namgyal gained national prominence for his impassioned speech in Parliament following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs).
