Three Leh groups announce boycott of Ladakh local body polls

Three groups in Leh, including the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), have announced a boycott of the upcoming Panchayat and Municipal elections in Ladakh, while Kargil has called for a shutdown on Tuesday, demanding their postponement.

The groups have cited concerns over the timing of the elections, delimitation irregularities and other policy issues.

The State Election Commission has scheduled the Panchayat and Municipal polls for later this month.

LBA president Chering Dorjay Lakrook, who is also the convener of the Apex Body Leh (ABL), told The Indian Express that the boycott decision was originally taken by the Nambardar Association and later supported by the LBA and Ladakh Gonpa Association.

He said the decision was taken at a meeting of Nambardars of the erstwhile Leh district, attended by representatives of the two associations.

Lakrook said both Leh and Kargil had raised concerns over delimitation, alleging irregularities in the allocation of seats.

He also cited dissatisfaction over the BJP's policies on land, the judicial commission and liquor policy.

"It has been over a year since the judicial commission was set up, but there has been no outcome yet. The victims are in distress. They want justice," he said.

Lakrook also questioned why the election notification did not specify the date for announcing the results. "We smell a conspiracy in this," he said, alleging that the results could be withheld until the Hill Development Council elections are conducted.

The boycott call comes as talks between the Union Home Ministry and Ladakh's representative bodies, the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance, have hit a roadblock.

The groups have scaled down their demands from Sixth Schedule status and statehood to constitutional safeguards under Article 371 and a Union Territory with a legislature. However, they have accused the Centre of backtracking on its promises.