Angry party men resent selection of candidates
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 2: In a major setback to BJP in ongoing elections to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, its entire unit of Nyoma Mandal resigned from the party in protest against denial of mandate to Ishey Spalzang president of the Mandal who was nominated by the Unit for the candidature of Councilor from Nyoma.
Besides, sitting Councilor from Upper Leh and party senior leader, Venerab Lobzang Nyantak who had resigned from the party yesterday for denial of ticket to him joined the Aam Admi Party (AAP) today.
It was on the second consecutive day today when BJP leaders from another constituency resigned from the party showing their strong resentment against the selection of candidates against the wishes of the local party unit in these constituencies. These leaders have submitted a joint resignation letter to party’s Ladakh UT president and MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal expressing their senior displeasure over the style of functioning of the party leadership in the UT.
On the second day today, 24 party functionaries of Nyoma constituency led by its Mandal president Ishey Spalzang resigned from the party. In their resignation letter, these leaders leveled serious allegation on the party leadership of sidelining them while granting mandate to the Councilor from the Nyoma constituency against the aspirations and choice of the local unit. Later they addressed a press conference in Leh also announcing their resignation from the party.
Sources said that there is lot of resentment among the party activists in the Nyoma and Chushul Mandal where the party activists resigned from BJP enmass during last two days. Earlier, nominated Councilor Syeda Ladakhi had also resigned from BJP alleging that it is not the same BJP which she had joined earlier.
Yesterday Executive Councilor for Education from Chashul constituency, Konchak Stanzin resigned from the party after he was denied the mandate despite the strong recommendations made by the local unit in his favour.
However, when contacted the BJP State president, Leh and MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal tried to downplay the developments in his party and said that he is preoccupied with some party function and will be able to talk on the issue tomorrow.
BJP national general secretary, Arun Singh who had visited Leh last week along with Union MoS, G K Reddy to apprise the people of Ladakh about the Government decision regarding their demands and also ascertain the situation in the region when contacted said he has no knowledge about the resignations and he will get the feedback from the local unit of the party and only then can speak to media.
Sources said that even the senior leaders of Ladakh are also annoyed with the style of working of BJP UT president, Ladakh and selection of candidates by him after defying the recommendations of various local units regarding the nomination of candidates for the election to LAHDC, Leh.
Sources said that even the senior leaders of Ladakh who quit BJP earlier including its past president and ex-MP were also not happy with the style of functioning of the president leadership especially the UT president Ladakh and they too are annoyed with him. This can also be one of the reasons that the local party men are quitting BJP enmass, sources added.
They said if the resignation of local leaders from the party continues in this way it can give a big setback to the party at the hustings in case the party High Command does not take some serious steps for the damage control.
Besides Mandal president, Nyoma, Ishey Spalzang the other leaders who resigned from the party today include Jigmet Gyatso president Yuwa Morcha Nyoma, Sonam Angcliok senior member Nyoma, Rigzin Dorjey, party activist Punguk, Lotus Gyalisten , Sonam Tundup both party activists, Tsering Angchok,senior leader Tsaga, Nawang Stobgyal, Mandal vice president Mudh, Sherab Olzer, Mandal vice president Nyoma, Kunzang Dorjey, party activist from Honley Khaldo, Sherab Zangpo, senior member of the party, Kunzang Dorjey, party activist, Sherab Zangpo, senior member, Mudh, Tsewang Gurmel vice president Youth Nyoma, Lobzang Tsering , Spenba Angchok , Karma Gellck, Stanzin Sonam, all party activists, Kunga Namgyal, youth president, Nyoma, Tsewang Otsal, Mandal president Mud, Thinlay Spalzang, Mandal senior activist, Nyoma, Phuntsog Angchok , secretary Nyoma , Tashi Dorjey, activist Nyoma, Tashi Samphel Member Nyoma, Urgain Namdol, worker Nyoma and Skaima Rwegzin senior member.
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