In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Tashi Gyalson as its candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Ladakh constituency. This announcement marks a departure from the party’s previous choice, incumbent MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who has held the seat since 2014.
The decision to field Gyalson, who currently serves as the chairman-cum-chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh, has been met with mixed reactions. While the BJP leadership expressed confidence in Gyalson’s ability to retain the seat for the party, Namgyal has voiced his disappointment and indicated that he will soon announce his next course of action.
Following the announcement, Namgyal released a statement expressing his disagreement with the party’s decision to replace him as the candidate for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat. He stated that he had communicated his concerns to the party leadership through appropriate channels and that he viewed the decision as an injustice to a dedicated party worker like himself.
Namgyal also highlighted the support he has received from BJP activists and his supporters across Ladakh, who have expressed their disapproval of the party’s choice. He emphasized that he and his supporters would carefully evaluate the situation and determine their next steps, keeping the well-being of the people of Ladakh at the forefront.
The BJP’s decision to replace Namgyal as its candidate comes amidst reports of discontent among a section of Buddhists in Leh towards the ruling party. Some local sources have suggested that Gyalson, who is also a lawyer, may be better positioned to maintain the BJP’s hold on the seat, which also includes the Muslim-majority district of Kargil.
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Ladakh are scheduled to be held on May 20, and the outcome of the contest between Gyalson and any potential challengers will be closely watched by both political observers and the people of the region.
