NC, Congress announce formation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council

National Conference and Congress Tuesday announced the formation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council LAHDC-Kargil, for which elections were held recently, with the power-sharing arrangement for two-and-a-half years each.

Srinagar, Oct 17: National Conference and Congress Tuesday announced the formation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil, for which elections were held recently, with the power-sharing arrangement for two-and-a-half years each.

Power-sharing arrangement

For the first term, the NC will have its Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), after which a Congress councilor will take over for the next two-and-a-half years. The arrangement was announced at a joint press conference by the leaders of both parties in Kargil. The parties also announced an agenda of alliance for the fifth LAHDC.

50-50 sharing basis

"The council will be formed on a 50-50 sharing basis. The five years of the chairman of the council will be divided into two for both the parties,” Congress leader Nasir Munshi told reporters. He said the first term will be granted to NC which will commence on October 18 and would conclude on April 18, 2026. Two executive councilors would be appointed by each party, ensuring equal representation, Munshi said.

Allocation of positions

"One of the executive councilor positions, as per LAHDC ACT, reserved for principal religious minorities, will be granted to NC in the first term, and the second will automatically be allocated to the Congress party,” he said. He said the departments assigned to the chairman and executive councilors would be equally shared between both parties. Both parties are committed to providing an effective and sustainable council that works for the betterment, development, and welfare of the people of Kargil, Munshi said.

Jaffar Akhoon nominated as CEC

The NC has nominated an elected councilor from Thasgam Thuvina constituency, Jaffar Akhoon, as the Chief Executive Councilor (CEC). The decision was announced at the press conference by senior NC leader Qamar Ali Akhoon. Earlier, the newly-elected councilors of the fifth General LAHDC took oath at the Syed Mehdi Auditorium Hall, Kargil. The oath of office to the 26 elected councilors was administered by the Principal and sessions judge, Kargil, Iqbal Ahmad Masoodi. The NC and Congress alliance swept the polls, which were held on October 4, by winning 12 and 10 seats, respectively. The BJP and independents secured two seats each.

The formation of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, with a power-sharing arrangement between the National Conference and Congress, marks a new chapter in the governance of the region. The equal representation and shared responsibilities between the two parties aim to ensure effective and sustainable development, focusing on the betterment and welfare of the people of Kargil. With the newly elected councilors taking oath and the nomination of the Chief Executive Councilor, the stage is set for the implementation of the alliance's agenda and the fulfillment of the aspirations of the people of Kargil.