BJP NAMES TASHI GYALSON AS LADAKH CANDIDATE, DROPS SITTING MP JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced Tashi Gyalson as its candidate from the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday, April 23, replacing sitting MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. Gyalson, the chairman-cum-chief executive councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh, will contest in the upcoming elections scheduled for May 20.

Reacting defiantly, Namgyal asserted that he will soon announce his next course of action. He expressed disagreement with the party's decision and highlighted the disapproval voiced by his supporters across the Union Territory.

In a Facebook post, Namgyal stated, "Today, the BJP announced a new candidate for the Ladakh parliamentary constituency, replacing the sitting MP without providing transparent and compelling justification.”

He added, "I have communicated my disagreement to the party leadership through proper channels regarding this injustice to a dedicated ’karyakarta’. Hundreds of BJP activists and my supporters from across Ladakh have also voiced their disapproval of this decision," he said.

"We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine our next course of action, keeping the well-being of the people of Ladakh at the forefront. I extend heartfelt gratitude to all supporters for their steadfast backing,” he further said.

Namgyal, known for his viral speech in Lok Sabha defending the Narendra Modi government’s decision to repeal Article 370, faced resentment among a section of Buddhists in Leh. The BJP's decision to drop him comes amid local sources' observations that Gyalson, also a lawyer, is better positioned to maintain the party's hold over the seat, which includes the Muslim-majority Kargil.

2024-04-23T15:23:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd