Uncertainty persists as Council elections draw nearer
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 21: With host of issues, a delegation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh is expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah shortly seeking roadmap ahead for the Council elections in the wake of 33 percent reservation granted to the women in the twin Councils, demands from some quarters for fresh delimitation of seats and, above all, an impending announcement about formal creation of five new districts in the Union Territory-three in Leh and two in Kargil.
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Sources told the Excelsior that a Council delegation is likely to meet the Union Home Minister very soon and discuss the pending issues with him as five-year term of the Leh Hill Council is ending in October-November and elections have to be conducted in September-October.
The Home Ministry had earlier announced 33 percent reservation for women in both Leh and Kargil Hill Development Councils which have 30 seats each. Elections are held for 26 seats while four Councilors are nominated by the UT administration.
“If same strength of the Councils persists, eight or nine seats will be reserved for the women. However, the Election Department had to undertake an exercise to name the seats which will be reserved for women as per the guidelines which are in place for the purpose,” the sources said.
However, some of the organizations have also raised the demand for fresh delimitation of seats with a view to increase their numbers as well as alter the boundaries before conduct of elections to the LAHDC Leh. And, if the demand is accepted the delimitation can take time and elections to the Council will have to be deferred.
Further, the Union Home Ministry had announced five new districts for the UT of Ladakh in August, 2024. With 11 months having passed since the announcement and most of the formalities completed like finalization of boundaries, headquarters, requirement of staff etc, the districts are expected to be formally announced any time now, the sources said.
Sources said if new districts are formally created before announcement of elections to Leh Hill Development Council, the Government will have to take a call as three new districts in Leh are being carved out of existing Leh district. Similarly, two new districts are being formed out of existing Kargil district.
“This will change entire scenario as the MHA will then have to take call as to whether all seven districts will get Hill Councils or a new structure is put in place,” the sources said, adding to clear most of the things the LAHDC Leh delegation will be meeting Amit Shah to have detailed discussions with him on all the issues.
Under normal circumstances, a notification for LAHDC Leh elections has to be issued in September to hold elections in October as 5-year term of the Council is expiring in October-November and new body will have to be in place before that.
The BJP is in power in LAHDC Leh for two consecutive terms having won majority in 2015 and 2020.
Elections to Kargil Hill Development Council were held in October 2023 with NC and Congress winning majority.
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