National Conference and Congress to share Ladakh post on rotational basis

The National Conference and the Congress have reached an understanding to rotate the position of the chief executive councillor in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil.

Both parties secured a combined victory in 22 out of the 26 seats during the polls held on October 4.

The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil has a total of 30 members, with the administration nominating four members with voting rights.

The National Conference emerged as the single largest party, winning 12 seats, while the Congress secured victory in 10. The BJP won two seats, and two independent candidates also secured victory.

According to National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, the decision to rotate the chief executive councillor post was made before the polls and will remain unchanged, regardless of the election results. He stated that the rotation would involve each party holding the position for two and a half years.

Regarding which party will have the first opportunity to hold the post, Abdullah suggested that the National Conference, being the larger partner, should have the first term. He emphasised the importance of upholding the coalition's principles and norms.

Responding to a question about the possibility of pre-poll alliances with the Congress in other elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah expressed the National Conference's openness to discussions on the matter. However, he noted that seat-sharing discussions within the INDIA alliance had not yet commenced.