Chhewang Dorje
One of the loudest cries often heard in the political gatherings across the country is that youth should play more prominent role in the politics. But the fact is that despite the entry of young energetic leader like Jamyang Tsering Namgyal (JTN) in the politics, people find it hard to accept a person like him from humble background on the highest post of decision making. The similar case in consideration/deliberation here is the present Chief Executive Councilor (CEC), LAHDC Leh.
Ever since the death of Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, the former CEC, political stage of Leh have been marked by high drama. This high drama has something exciting in store for all of us who are concerned with the changing political landscape of Ladakh.
After the untimely demise of Dr. Sonam Dawa, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal has emerged as one of the prospective CEC candidate but he then decided not to pursue the same and chose to support veteran leader Dorjay Motup for the post instead. Subsequently Dorjay Motup was unanimously elected as the CEC, Leh. Another turn in the event took place with the resignation of Dorjay Motup from CEC post, citing health grounds.Again debate on the prospective candidate for the post was started. Point of discussion among the general public was, who can fill the vacuum created by the resignation of Dorjay Motup? Finally in a move that surprised many, the 33-year-old councilor from Martho, JTN was unanimously elected as new CEC. Though circumstances leading to elevation of the young leader to this highest post in the Council began with the demise of Late Dr. Sonam Dawa, credit goes to the young leader himself as he was quick to capitalize on this.
The youngest ever CEC for Ladakh region, JTN followed the footstep of his mentor Sh. Thupstan Chhewang, the former MP Ladakh. But a doubtful turn took place in the political drama as latter resigned just after former’s taking oath as the new CEC, Leh. MP Ladakh resigned alleging the Centre for failing to deliver on the electoral promise made during the 2014 general election. Now the question arises, why he suddenly chose to resign as MP Leh that too just after the young leader taking oath as the CEC, Leh. Was it too difficult for him to accept a leader as the new CEC Leh that he chose to resign as MP Ladakh?
Within this high political drama, we have to understand that the larger debate is on aristocrats v/s democrats. The real implementation of democracy requires egalitarianism, openness and an inclusive social mindset. Democracy without these traits becomes an aristocracy where specific privileged class emerges as system runner and commoners become only fuel to run such system.
What makes young leader’s elevation to the CEC post interesting is the fact that unlike other leaders of Ladakh he is coming from a humble family and does not boast of any hereditary title like LONPO. But it is unfortunate that the post of CEC has never been undermined so much as it does these days. There has been a joke doing the round in social media, which says it is easier to be CEC than to be the Principal of Lamdon School. This is a serious issue and shouldn’t be brushed aside as mere joke. Deep down it raises questions like- who is suitable for the post of CEC? Why do people find JTN unsuitable for the CEC? Is it merely because he is coming from a humble family background? Is it because JTN does not belong to a Lonpo family unlike our revered former MP Ladakh? Because the argument of education qualification for the same does not hold well ground as he is more qualified than the present Prime Minister of India.
If a youth leader from a humble background has claimed the seat of CEC he is neither being opportunist nor endangering the future of BJP in Leh as many have blamed him. Rather he is reassuring thousands of poor people, who are not born with silver spoon, that if they work hard and do not bury their aspirations they can also claim the highest seat of power. His success as the CEC Leh would promote the feeling that anyone can participate as top decision maker in the democratic setup and that family background does not matter. From working for student welfare as student leader at Jammu, to the corridors of power first at Delhi then in Ladakh, he has travelled a long way to reach the coveted post of the CEC, LAHDC, Leh.
The second eldest son of the family, JTN, a graduate from M.A.M College Jammu, had entry into politics as a BJP party worker in Jammu in 2012. Within few years, he has been assigned with the duty of managing election campaign for Thupstan Chhewang, who was running for MP seat from Ladakh on a BJP ticket. He was also the main speaker during the election. It was a time when BJP party in Ladakh was almost non-existent and there were slim chances for him to secure victory. But thanks to the hard work of JTN who toured every nook and corner of Ladakh campaigning for Thupstan Chhewang that the latter won MP seat from Ladakh by smallest margin of 30 votes. This victory took him to the streets of parliament, where he has worked as the Private Secretary to MP Ladakh for 3 years. Things however took a turn for good when he decided to contest LAHDC, Leh election and resigned from the PA to MP. He was given party ticket to contest the election of LAHDC Leh from Martselang constituency and he won by a record margin of 825 votes.His nearest rival in the election then was Tsering Angdus, who was running for third term in the office and was one of the most influential persons in Leh.Even at that time many were discrediting him and were saying that BJP is going to lose this seat but he proved them wrong and marked the politics of Ladakh by registering the record victory in the said election. It was also under his presidency that for the first time a BJP councilor from Lungnak, Zanskar, also made entry into the LAHDC, Kargil.
Hailing from the Martho village in Leh district, he is coming from a family of Aam Admi unlike most of other leaders in Leh who were born with silver spoon. His father served as carpenter in Military Engineering Service and his mother is a housewife. Unlike him most of other leaders in the Ladakh region have an aristocratic background, means they had their ancestors in the royal court who were either serving as Lonpo or were enjoying royal patronage. This gave them unparalleled advantage over others in getting elected to various posts. These democratic aristocrats are distinguished from the traditional aristocrats in one key respect that is their dependence on electoral politics for the endorsement of privilege. Rise of a young leader to the highest post of decision making breaks many stereotypes, foremost among them is the belief that to be successful in the politics you have to be either from an aristocratic family or a rich family. More than breaking long held stereotype, young leader offers a renewed sense of vitality and excitement to Ladakh region, which is facing regional discrimination from Kashmiri centric politician. At the same time the emergence of youthful figures in positions of power gives hope to youth of Ladakh who might have seen politics as no-go zone. Besides dealing with strong opposition leaders, the youngest CEC Leh also faces high expectations of the public.
It still remains to be seen how far the policies of the young leader actually represent a departure from the past. We might reasonably be skeptical about the capacity of one so young, rising against the overwhelming tide of barriers; and it is not enough for the young leader to believe him but society must also believe in him.
Despite his young age, JTN already has significant political experience and we can’t discredit his capability of lobbying for the divisional status for Ladakh in the power corridors of Jammu.
He has also been able to prove his leadership qualities by seccefully assuming the mantle leadership for the slogan of ‘ ‘Free Ladakh from Kashmir’ and has already been able to lead this fight better than any other CEC from Ladakh in past.
Within a one month in the office he has already started his campaign of freeing Ladakh from Kashmir and the biggest strides towards securing this vision is his demand for divisional status for Ladakh. And it is to youngest CEC’s credit that Governor is already contemplating on granting Divisional status for Ladakh.
JTN becoming youngest CECis a landmark political development of 2018, but only the time can tell about his durability as it too early to write off him and his political career.
Despite all these, the attempt to break the old glass ceiling for the entry into the political class, which until now, was forbidden for a poor, is a perfect beginning of an egalitarian democratic space for all.
JTN’s rise and this Generational shift in the political class is nevertheless a tale well begun.
(The author is Research Scholar JNU)
(The views of the author are personal)
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