In a tumultuous development, Ladakh’s political landscape is rocked by discord within the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JK NC) as leadership directives clash with dissenting voices. Amidst preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Ladakh, JK NC President Dr Farooq Abdullah has issued a directive to the Kargil unit of the party, urging support for the I.N.D.I.A. bloc candidate, T. Namgyal. The directive, seen as a move to consolidate support for the official INC-backed candidate, comes with a stern warning: failure to comply will be construed as a serious breach of party discipline. However, this directive has sparked controversy and mass resignations within the Kargil unit, including prominent figures like former Minister Qamar Ali Akhone. The dissenters, under the banner of the Ladakh Democratic Alliance, have rallied behind Mohammad Haneefa Jan as an Independent Candidate, stressing the imperative to prioritise the interests of the Ladakh region above party affiliations.

In a letter addressed to the party leadership, Akhone cited the collective decision of the Ladakh Democratic Alliance and the unanimous support garnered across political and religious institutions as grounds for their stance against the party directive. Emphasising the directive’s divergence from the welfare of the Ladakhi people, Akhone announced the mass resignation from all party functionaries, signalling a deep-seated rift within the JK NC. As tensions escalate and loyalties are tested, Ladakh braces for a fiercely contested Lok Sabha election, with the choice of candidate becoming a battleground between party allegiance and regional interests. With alliances shifting and political manoeuvres underway, the outcome of the elections is poised to redefine the political trajectory of the Ladakh region.