 Early Times Report
Jammu, July 16: As differences between leaders of Leh and Kargil have widened after the Lok Sabha elections, the visit of Union Minister for Minority and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju to Ladakh aimed at retrieving BJP’s lost ground in the cold desert.
On the one hand, Rijiju participated in some official functions while on the other hand, he addressed the executive committee meeting of Ladakh BJP.
Highly placed sources said that the BJP leaders wanted to convey a message to the agitating groups of Ladakh against playing in the hands of the opposition parties, especially the National Conference, which has ditched people of Leh by fielding proxy candidate Haji Haneefa Jan against official candidate of the INDIA alliance Tsering Namgyal. Sources said that the BJP leadership is trying to encash prevailing anger among the people of Leh against the betrayal of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Haneefa Jan, a rebel leader from the National Conference (NC), secured 64,443 votes, significantly outpacing his nearest rival, Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, who garnered 35,770 votes. The BJP candidate, Tashi Gyalson, chairman of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, finished third with 31,505 votes. Sources said that the Centre is exploring options to establish communication channels with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in Ladakh without involving controversial leaders. In a strategic move, Union Minister of On one hand, Rijiju participated in some official functions while on the other , he addressed the executive committee meeting of Ladakh BJP.
The BJP leadership is trying to encash prevailing anger among the people of Leh against the betrayal of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The Centre is exploring options to establish communication channels with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) without involving controversial leaders.
Rijiju visited Kargil town to participate in Muharram Majalis at Jamiyat Ul Ulama Isna Ashria, Kargil, he also performed the Bhoomi Poojan ceremony for the new academic building for traditional courses at CIBS in Leh.
Rijiju praised the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, highlighting the benefits the people of the area have received from the government’s initiatives. He emphasized that future development in various sectors and the preservation of cultural heritage would continue. His meetings with religious scholars and local leaders underscored the importance of unity and understanding within the community.
Rijiju earlier performed the Bhoomi Poojan ceremony for the new academic building for traditional courses at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) in Leh. The project, sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, is estimated to cost Rs 53 crore.
Sources indicate that the Centre is willing to resume dialogue with the people of Ladakh on all legitimate demands within the constitutional framework, recognizing Ladakh's strategic importance. Rijiju’s visits to Leh and Kargil are part of efforts to bridge the gap between Ladakh groups and the Centre, following unsuccessful talks in New Delhi on March 4 this year. |
