Congress leader joins BJP in Ladakh, Thukjey Dolma joins BJP

Jammu, Apr 23: Congress leader Thukjey Dolma on Tuesday joined the BJP in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, just a fortnight ahead of the Lok Sabha election in the constituency, a party spokesperson said.

Dolma, a prominent social worker and active member of the Congress, hails from Kardong area of Nobra valley. He joined the BJP in presence of state party president Ravinder Raina who is camping in Ladakh for election campaigning, he said.

Terming the joining of Dolma a "big setback" to the Congress in the region, the spokesperson said she pledged to work for strengthening the BJP at grass-root level. Welcoming Dolma in the party, Raina said the Congress did "severe injustice" with the people of Ladakh over the years.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi led BJP government, on the other hand, did justice by granting divisional status to Ladakh, sanctioned medical college hospital, university and mega funding for the many important roads and tunnels in Leh and Kargil during the past five years," Raina said.

He said the BJP is committed for all round development in Ladakh region. Dolma accused the Congress of backstabbing the people of Leh and Nobra and did nothing for their betterment.

"Congress is party of corrupt leaders and its manifesto is supporting the anti-national forces. The anti-national policies of Congress party hurt the sentiments of party workers and all the patriotic workers of Congress are leaving the party," Dolma said. Ladakh will go to polls on May 6.

PTI