LADAKH STUDIES 14, Autumn 2000 - International Association for ...

NEWS FROM LADAKH
CONGRESS AGAIN DOMINATES LAHDC
In what is almost a repetition of its 1995 performance, elections to the second Ladakh Autonomous
Hill Development Council, Leh, were won overwhelmingly by the Indian National Congress party.
The INC captured twenty out of the total of twenty-six seats up for election. An additional four
members will be nominated directly by the Governor. The national Conference party managed to
win the remaining four seats, while the BJP failed to win a seat.
The lack of success of the National Conference was reported to have come as a major blow to
that party, which had fared well during the latest Lok Sabha elections. At that time, the Congress
candidate, LAHDC Chief Executive Councillor Thupstan Chhewang was defeated by his National
Conference opponent. This time, Chhewang contested two constituencies, Khaltse and Kungyam,
winning both. In the showdown at Khaltse, he soundly defeated NC president for Leh, Tsering
Nurbo, but at Kungyam the margin with NC candidate Dorje Mutup was a mere 81 votes (or 5.6%).
Prominent BJP leader Spalzes Angmo was defeated in Phiyang by Congress (I) candidate Sonam
Wangdus with a margin of 50.3 percent.
National Conference candidates won at Nyoma, Turtuk, Thikse and Chushot, while an
independent candidate, Dawa Tsering, captured Skyurbuchan, narrowly defeating NC's Phuntsog
Dorjey.
LAHDC SWORN IN; THUPSTAN CHHEWANG RE-ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN
On November 4, the 26 newly elected members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development
Council, Leh, were sworn in by Deputy Commissioner Dheeraj Gupta. According to a report by
Tashi Morup in the Daily Excelsior, Haji Abdul Qadir of NC party from Turtuk constituency was
the first to take the oath.
During a brief round table meeting in the new confrence hall of the LAHDC complex the lone
independent candidate Dawa Tsering from Skyurbuchan constituency promised to work in
co-operation with the majority party, but insisted he would seek the consent of the people of his
constituency before accepting to join the Congress.
During this meeting the Congress members unanimously suggested Thupstan Chhewang to
resume his position as Chairman of the Council, which he eventually accepted despite initial
reservations.
At a formal meeting later in the afternoon, Deputy Commissioner Dheeraj Gupta, who is also
the Chief Executive Officer, LAHDC, declared Thupstan Chhewang chairman of the second
council. In his first address to the new Councilors Chhewang reiterated his firm desire to live up to
people's expectiations. He also said he would seek co-operation of both Central and State
Government for the development of the entire district, especially the remote area.
Later talking to media Thupstan Chhewang said that it was due to the influence of Kushok
Bakula, whose service to the people of Ladakh is lasting, that the Congress party won the election.
He said that the Council would focus more on agriculture, education, and infrastructure including
the communication sector during its new term. He appealed the State Government to release funds
in time so that the Council would be able to function smoothly
CHHEWANG DISTRIBUTES PORTFOLIOS
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