Congress pulls plug on NC ally in Kargil LAHDC power battle

The ruling National Conference-Congress alliance in Kargil’s Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) suffered a major political jolt on Thursday after Congress councillors moved a no-confidence petition against Chief Executive Councillor Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon of the NC, accusing him of reneging on a rotational power-sharing agreement by refusing to vacate the top post for the Congress. The petition was submitted to LAHDC Kargil CEO Rakesh Kumar, triggering a fresh political crisis in the hill council.

Rakesh Kumar assured the Congress members that the matter would be processed strictly as per the provisions of the LAHDC Act and applicable rules.

The rotational power-sharing formula was announced by NC leader Omar Abdullah in October 2023 after the two parties joined hands after the NC bagged 12 seats and Congress 10 in the 30 member LAHDC. The allies together had 22 seats that were 6 more than the majority. BJP managed to win only 2 seats.

Besides the Chairman cum CEC, there are four Executive Councilors—two each from NC and Congress, who enjoy the status of Minister. Two Executive Councilors from Congress are reportedly not attending the office since  18 April when the two and half years term of the Council was completed and change of the chairman went into dispute.

Omar had agreed to the formula of the NC and Congress heading the LAHDC (Kargil) for two and half years each. The first term went to NC and Akhoon was elected Chairman-cum-CEC on 18 October 2023. He completed his term on 18 April 2026.

Discontent started brewing between the two parties when Akhoon refused to step down after completing his term in office.

NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah last week said that there was no dispute on the issue and his party will pass on the chairmanship of LAHDC to Congress as per the 2023 understanding.

Senior Congress leader from Kargil, Asgar Ali Karbalai recently said that discussions were on with the NC for change of leadership of LAHDC.