Leh faces political uncertainty after end of LAHDC term, locals want immediate polls

As the term of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, has ended, residents and political leaders are urging the Union Territory administration to conduct elections without delay, warning that Ladakh has been pushed into a democratic vacuum.

The five-year term of the LAHDC Leh concluded on October 30. In the absence of an elected body, the administration has assigned Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Donk the responsibility of managing the Council’s affairs.

According to an order issued by the Department of Law and Injustice, the elections have been deferred due to the ongoing administrative restructuring. “In view of the ongoing process for creation of new districts and the consequent need for redrawing boundaries of council areas and constituencies, along with the implementation of the amendment to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, providing one-third reservation for women, it is not practicable to hold elections at this stage as it could lead to representational anomalies and administrative inconsistencies,” the order stated.

However, local leaders have expressed discontent over the delay, emphasising that the absence of elected representatives is leaving public issues unaddressed. “There is no public representative in the district. The terms of panchayats and municipalities also ended years ago. There is no elected institution left in Leh,” said Konchok Stanzin, former councillor from Chushul constituency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which previously held power in the Hill Council, has faced public criticism following the killing of four youths during a protest for statehood on September 24. Stanzin alleged that the party is reluctant to face the electorate, fearing backlash. “The BJP doesn’t want elections right now as it could affect its performance,” he claimed.

Recently, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, congratulated the 6th LAHDC Leh and its chairman Tashi Gyalson for completing their term. He lauded the Council’s developmental initiatives and credited both the Hill Councils and government officers for transforming Ladakh into one of the country’s most progressive Union Territories, despite what he termed as “historical discrimination by the erstwhile J&K government.”

Meanwhile, Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) — which has been spearheading the movement for statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule — said the issue of delayed elections will be raised with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) when the next high powered committee meeting is held.

“Elections should be held as the Hill Council is a democratic institution. At present, we only have one elected representative — the Member of Parliament — for the entire Ladakh region. We will press the MHA to ensure that the Council polls are held soon,” said Lakruk.