Ladakh LS polls: Kargil Congress shows support to NC candidate Haji Hanifa, Leh unit says 'not our pick'

Kargil Congress and the National Conference on May 1 proposed the name of Haji Hanifa Jan as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc candidate for the Ladakh Parliament seat.

A joint press conference organised by the leaders of the NC and Congress in Kargil took place. A Congress spokesperson said, "We have had multiple rounds of consultations within the alliance partners and the stakeholders. Haji Hanifa Jan has emerged as a consensus candidate."

However, Jan's name has not yet been cleared by the Congress high command in Delhi.

Kargil Congress and NC said that if another candidate emerges from this district then both the parties will show support to Hanifa Jan as an independent candidate.

BJP has nominated former Leh BJP President and ex-Leh Hill Development Council Chairman Tashi Gyalson. The incumbent BJP MP Jamyang Tsering did not secure a BJP ticket this time and he is planning to contest independently.

Since 1967, Congress has won six times from this seat, NC twice, independents thrice, and BJP only twice. The last time, Congress won from this seat was in 1998. NC won in 1998 and 1999. In 2004 and 2009, independent candidates won from this seat. BJP has been winning from this seat since 2014.

Also watch: Unhappy over not getting picked, BJP's Ladakh MP Jamyang Namgyal rallies supporters