The ruling National Conference (NC) has finally conceded defeat in Kargil district to pave way for the Congress to lead the autonomous hill development council for five years. The elections for the hill council were held last month, which threw a hung verdict leading to manoeuvring and political bickering.
Both the NC and the Congress, which fought the elections separately despite a coalition in the State, had staked claims for forming the hill council administration, a district-level autonomous body with decentralised powers.
The 26-member ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil (lAHDC-K), results were announced on August 28 with a fractured mandate with Congress bagging 10 while the NC and Independents bagging eight seats each. The Congress alter managed the support of five independents while the NC, secured support of three independents. The situation took an interesting turn when the Government ordered nomination of four Independent members for the council with political allegiance to the NC. The NC staked claim on the basis that 16 members were supporting it including the nominated members. However, the Congress objected to the “arbitrary” nomination and questioned their right to vote for electing a leader to lead the Council.
On Thursday, the issue was discussed in coordination committee of the coalition partners, which was presided over by JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz. Deputy CM Tara Chand, ladakh Affairs Minister Abdur Rahim Rather and senior Cabinet Ministers Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan attended the meeting.