The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) announced a change in its candidate lineup for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Ladakh, replacing sitting member of parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal with Tashi Gyalson, the current chairman-cum-chief executive councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh.
The decision to field Tashi Gyalson comes amidst ongoing agitation against the government in the Ladakh twin region, encompassing Kargil and Leh. Local sources suggest that Gyalson, also a practicing lawyer, is perceived to be better positioned to navigate and maintain BJP’s support base, especially in the Muslim-majority Kargil area.
In 2019, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal gained widespread attention for his impassioned speech in the Lok Sabha defending the Modi government’s move to revoke Article 370 and establish Ladakh as a separate Union Territory. His speech was commended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders.
Explaining the rationale behind the candidate change, BJP strategists believe that Tashi Gyalson’s leadership and legal background will strengthen the party’s standing in the constituency, which faces unique socio-political dynamics.
The Lok Sabha polling for the Ladakh constituency is scheduled for May 20. The BJP’s decision reflects a strategic shift in candidate selection aimed at securing electoral success amidst evolving regional sentiments.