Dr Akhoon to quit as Kargil CEC, likely to join BJP; seeks Council dissolution

Citing creation of new districts, Akhoon calls for dissolution of existing LAHDC Kargil, fresh delimitation and elections to all eight Hill Councils.

YASH KHAJURIA

KARGIL: In what could be a major political development in Ladakh, the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon has decided to recommend dissolution of the existing Council, while indicating that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shortly along with some councillors, marking a potential realignment in Kargil’s political landscape.

Akhoon’s proposed move follows the creation of Sankoo as Ladakh’s eighth district and the carving out of new administrative units, including Sankoo, Zanskar and Drass, from areas previously under the jurisdiction of the Kargil Hill Council. He has argued that the reorganisation makes it necessary to revisit the existing Council’s composition and constituencies before fresh elections are held.

Speaking to The Earth News, Akhoon said the administrative reorganisation of Ladakh and the creation of three new districts had substantially altered the territorial framework of the Kargil Council, making it illogical to continue with the existing arrangement. He said he would submit his resignation soon, paving the way for the constitution of new Hill Councils.

Akhoon also indicated that the administration was expected to undertake delimitation of constituencies across all eight Hill Councils in Ladakh, followed by elections.

Explaining his decision to join the BJP, Akhoon said the BJP-led government at the Centre had fulfilled the long-pending demand for district status for Sankoo and extended support to Kargil’s development.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh, senior party leader and MP Tarun Chugh, former LAHDC Leh CEC Adv Tashi Gyalson, BJP Ladakh president Tashi Gyaltsan Khachu and other party leaders have collectively worked towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Ladakh. I believe it is our moral responsibility to reciprocate the affection and support extended by the party,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to the BJP leadership both at the National and Ladakh level for supporting the demand for district status, presenting the decision as the fulfilment of a longstanding aspiration of the people of the region. He is expected to join the party in the presence of senior BJP leaders, although a formal joining date has not been announced.

The proposed switch assumes significance as Akhoon was previously associated with the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC), which expelled him from its primary membership for six years in July this year over alleged anti-party activities and indiscipline. The action followed his decision to retain the CEC’s post despite a power-sharing arrangement with the Congress.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of a prolonged political confrontation within the 30-member Kargil Hill Council.

Following the October 2023 Council elections, the NC and Congress formed an alliance after winning 12 and 10 elected seats, respectively, in the 26-member elected House. The BJP and Independents secured two seats each, while four nominated councillors took the total strength to 30.

Under the reported power-sharing arrangement, the NC was to hold the CEC’s post for the first two-and-a-half years, after which the Congress was to take over for the remainder of the term. Akhoon, who assumed office in October 2023, did not step down after completing the first phase in April 2026, triggering a confrontation with the Congress.

In May, 16 councillors from the NC and Congress backed a no-confidence motion against him. However, Akhoon subsequently secured the support of 20 councillors during the passage of the Council’s annual budget in July, with backing from the BJP, consolidating his position. The administration did not order a floor test, according to published reports.

His proposed move towards the BJP would formalise a political shift that had been developing for months, following the breakdown of the NC-Congress understanding and his reliance on BJP support to retain a majority in the Council.

The proposed dissolution must also be viewed in the context of Ladakh’s wider administrative restructuring. The creation of new districts, including Zanskar and Drass, followed by the declaration of Sankoo as the eighth district on October 16, has altered the administrative map and raised questions about the composition and territorial jurisdictions of the Hill Councils.

Akhoon has argued that dissolution of the existing Kargil Council would facilitate a transparent delimitation exercise, particularly because substantial areas previously falling under its jurisdiction have been assigned to new administrative units.

The proposed restructuring is expected to be followed by elections to the eight Hill Councils, although the final schedule and procedural details remain subject to decisions by the competent authorities. The existing Kargil Council’s term was otherwise due to end in October 2028, according to published reports.

The developments could have wider political implications for Kargil, where the NC-Congress arrangement has already fractured and the BJP’s support has become central to the outgoing CEC’s political position.

At the same time, the proposed dissolution and the formation of new Councils raise questions about delimitation, representation and the transition to the new administrative structure. The formal resignation, any order on dissolution and the subsequent election process will determine how the reorganisation is implemented.