The BJP in Kashmir is gearing up to regain control over the ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (lAHDC) in leh in the upcoming elections scheduled for October. The inclusion of Chering Dorje into Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s Cabinet is a strategic decision to restore the public contact and dislodge the Congress that currently holds sway on the Hill Council.
On April 24, Dorje was elevated to Cabinet rank. He became the lone Minister from ladakh region to get a Cabinet berth.
Dorje unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections but shortly after PDP-BJP alliance took over the reins, he was nominated for the legislative Council and included in the Council of Ministers.
His elevation is to offset the influence of Nawang Rigzin Jora, who defeated Dorje in the elections, and was later chosen to be the Congress legislature Party leader in the lower house.
The BJP has a larger plan in ladakh in promoting Dorje, who was top-ranking leader of ladakh Union Territory Front (lUTF) that merged into the BJP in 2008. He has served as Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) of lAHDC.
Speaking to The Pioneer Dorje said that his inclusion in the Cabinet was important for the revival of the BJP in the ladakh region. “We pleaded before the BJP High Command that Cabinet rank was important for the much needed revival of party cadre in the wake of upcoming council elections scheduled in October,” he said.
He said the BJP leadership of ladakh was not in the decision-making capacity. “Now (after getting Cabinet berth), ladakh region got representation in the Cabinet. The cadre is encouraged and feels that their issues can be highlighted and agitated,” he said.
On sensitivities along the line of Actual Control (lAC) with China, the Minister said a flag meeting has been recently conducted at Chushol where Chinese authorities have asked to abandon wok on a canal in Damchok area.
“They (Chinese) have agreed to allow use of traditional pastures if the work on manually dug canal is abandoned,” he said. The Chinese have also agreed to vacate a tent where civilians are usually spotted.