JAMMU: Five political parties are testing their luck for the prestigious Ladakh Hill Development Council (LAHDC) election scheduled to be held in 26 constituencies on October 17.
“There will be a tough contest this time in the LAHDC Poll as five political parties including Congress, BJP, NC, PDP and NLM will be contesting for the 26 seats”, official sources told reporters here today. They said that four members will be nominated by the Government.
Sources further said that only the Congress party has so far declared its candidates for the polls, which included Thupstan Angchok (Nyoma), Namgyal Phuntsok (Chushul), Gurmet Dorjay (Korzok), Tsering Punchok (Sku-Markha), Tsering Nurboo (Basgo), Sonam Dorjay (Lingshed), Tashi Norboo (Egoo) and two new entrants Tsering Angdu and Sonam Tsespal from Martselang and Thiksay Constituencies.
The previous LAHDC was constituted in 2010 after the disastrous floods in which Congress party registered a thumping victory by winning 21 seats followed by BJP with four. National Conference, ruling PDP along with its alliance partner BJP, are holding the cards close to their chest and are yet to announce their candidates.
BJP had already declared to contest all 26 seats on its own. According to the sources, there are as many as 80,811 voters, including those from Leh and Nubra. The figure may increase marginally as electoral rolls are still getting updated.
Leh has 67,757 voters, including 33,607 women, while Nubra has 13,057, of which there are 6,483 ladies. Sku Markha segment has 649 voters while Lower Leh Constituency has a 10,052-strong electorate. (AGENCIES)
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