The political equations in Ladakh witnessed a dramatic twist as the National Conference (NC) and the BJP came together in the Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC-K) to ensure the passage of the Rs.255 crore annual budget for 2026-27, triggering speculation that the over two-and-a-half-year-old NC-Congress alliance in the Council may have effectively collapsed.
The unexpected development unfolded on Tuesday after the Congress boycotted the budget meeting, allowing the NC to join hands with the BJP in the House. All 12 NC councillors, including five who had earlier signed a no-confidence motion against Chief Executive Councillor Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon (NC), attended the proceedings convened by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Chief Executive Officer of the Council.
Along with six BJP councillors, one Congress member and an Independent councillor, they secured the required numbers to pass the annual budget. Ladakh MP Haji Mohammad Haneefa also attended the meeting. The budget was passed with a voice-vote by 20 councillors.
Discord between the NC and Congress, which jointly contested the LAHDC-K polls in 2023, has been continuing for the past few months when as per the earlier agreed power-sharing agreement of the two parties holding the post of Chairman cum CEC for two and a half years each was reportedly broken by the NC as Dr. Akhoon refused to step down on completion of his term. The first term went to the NC and Dr Akhoon was elected as the Chairman. Congress had to hold the post of Chairman-cum-CEC for the rest of two and half years with Nassir Munshi tipped to head the Council.
However, crisis gripped the LAHDC-K on 14 May after 16 Councillors signed a no-confidence motion against Dr Akhoon, which was a majority in the Council of 30 members. They include nine from Congress, five from NC and two Independents. In the Council, NC has 12 Councillors, Congress 10 and BJP 6, besides there are two Independents.
After the budget was passed, Dr. Akhoon said the vote shows he still has majority support as a result of which the no-confidence motion has automatically collapsed. He pointed out that the rivals who claimed to have 16 votes against him could not prove their majority in the house.
Dr. Akhoon on Wednesday reportedly filled the two vacancies of executive councillors that were vacated with the resignation from the posts by Congress legislators.
The INDIA bloc partners, NC and Congress, had secured a clear majority by winning 22 of the 30 seats in the LAHDC-Kargil in 2023. NC won 12 and Congress 10 seats. BJP got 2 seats and Independents also secured 2 seats. Thereafter, BJP’s strength increased to 6 after the UT administration nominated 4 members.