BJP announces first list of 18 candidates
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 29: While Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today announced the first list of 18 candidates for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, which is going to polls on October 22, the party exuded confidence that it will win all the 26, seats hands down.
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The list of candidates was issued by the Leh UT president of the party and MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. Earlier the party had threadbare discussions on poll strategy under the leadership of its visiting national general secretary, Arun Singh, also gave the final shape to the list of candidates.
A party spokesman said that the remaining list of eight candidates will be issued tomorrow.
Talking to reporters earlier, Arun Singh said that BJP will emerge victorious in the Hill Development Council elections as people of Ladakh have unflinching faith in the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the party. He, while highlighting various steps taken by Modi Government for the welfare of people in the country especially those living in far-flung and backward areas like Ladakh, said BJP Government fulfilled the long pending demand of granting UT status to Ladakh region.
“Besides, we implemented many pro poor and down trodden policies to this region and sanctioned many developmental projects for the welfare of the people of this hilly belt”, he added.
He assured the people of Ladakh all support and cooperation from BJP national leadership and present Central Government in the development and progress of the region. “I assure you that within four years the Ladakh will emerge as one of the prosperous and developed part of the country under the welfare and developmental programme initiated by Narendra Modi Government”, he decalred.
He said after the announcement of Union Territory last year people in Ladakh were jubilant and they irrespective of their party affiliations celebrated the decision of Modi Government as it fulfilled their 70 year long aspirations. He said, however, a communication gap was created between the Union Government and people of Ladakh during last eight months due to spread of COVID and the developmental works were halted. But after the pandemic threat is over the developmental works will gain pace again and all the demands of people will be translated into reality, he added.
The BJP leader said this Government announced Medical College, University, National Institute of Hotel Management for the region and Central Institute of Buddhist Study in Ladakh. It also sanctioned Rs 28 crore for the region under Atamnirbhar Bharat Scheme.
He said the region will now lead to path of progress and development which will also create avenues of employment for the youth as well in coming three to four years.
He, while highlighting various welfare schemes launched by Modi Government for poor took Congress to task saying why it could not bring Ayushman Bharat Scheme for the poor people during its 55 years rule. Under the scheme a poor person can get Rs five lakh for his treatment in any best available hospital in the country, he added.
He said the senior leaders of Ladakh including Khanpo Rinpoche and Thupstan Chhewang are fully satisfied with BJP and their all blessings are with PM Modi. He said they as well as people of Ladakh know that only Narendra Modi can do holistic development of Ladakh region.
Later the party announced the first list of 18 candidates who included Kunzang Lotus for Hunder constituency, Tsering Angchuk for Disket constituency, Rigzen Lundup for Tiger (Kyagar), Tsering Sangdup for Panamik, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee for Tangtse, Thiles Norboo Gyamshing for Kyngyam, Karma Namdak for Korzok, Gyal P Wnagyal for Sakti, Tsering Paldan for Igoo, Sanzin Chospel for Martselang, Phunchock Wangdan Shunu for Lower Leh, Dorje Angchuk for Basgo, Phunchok Dorjey for Phyang, Sonam Narboo for Sku-Markha, Tsering Angchuk for Temisgam, Lobzang Sherab for Khaltsi, Phunchok Stanzin for Skurbuchan and Tashi Gyalson for Lingshed.
It may be recalled that the election authorities had extended the last date for filing of nomination papers to October 3 in view of stalemate created in Ladakh after the Peoples Movement, a conglomerate of various political and religious bodies of Ladakh had decided to boycott the ensuing Hill Development Council elections till its demand for granting the 6th Schedule status to Ladakh and giving the Bodo Council like powers to two Hill Development Councils of the region are accepted.
This forced the authorities to change the last date for filing of nomination papers which had expired yesterday as the Union Government was busy in negotiating the issue with the Peoples Movement leadership. The stalemate was over with the intervention of Union Home Minister, Amit Shah who called the Movement leaders to Delhi for talks and on the assurance of the Government that the issue will be sorted out after the elections of LAHDC are over with the consent and consultation of Ladkah leadership, they withdrew the boycott call.
According to sources, besides BJP, Congress and Aam Admi Party (AAP) have decided to contest all the 26 seats of LAHDC, Leh and these parties are also going to announce their candidates within day or two.
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