8 candidates file nominations for Ladakh Parliamentary seat

Kargil, May 3: Eight candidates filed their nomination papers for the lone Ladakh Parliamentary seat which is going to polls on May 20 in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections.

While Congress candidate, Tsering Namgyal, had filed his nominations yesterday, today the National Conference (NC ) leader, Haji Hanifa Jan, who is also a joint candidate of NC and Congress unit of Kargil, too filed his nominations as independent candidate.

Returning Officer (RO) of the constituency, Santosh Sukhadeve, said that eight candidates filed their nomination papers till May 3, which was the last date of filing nominations. He said four candidates including two each from BJP and Congress have filed the nominations while in Kargil four independent candidates have submitted the nomination papers. The RO however said that atleast three among these are covering candidates. The scrutiny of papers will be done tomorrow and last date for nomination withdrawal is on May 6.

Today four independent candidates filed their nomination papers in the office of Assistant Returning Officer in Kargil. In a significant development, Prominent social-political activist from Kargil, Sajjad Hussain Kargili filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate. Sajjad Kargili had contested the last Lok Sabha election and bagged 31,552 votes finishing second.

On the occasion, Sajjad Kargili said that under the name of unity the youth are being denied any space in the democratic process to lead their struggle. He said that he represent the aspirations of people particularly youth and has no political backing. Sajjad is a member of the influential religious body Anjuman Jamiat Ulema Isna Ashriya Kargil (AJUIAK) Kargil and core group member of Kargil Democratic Alliance, demanding statehood, 6th Schedule, and PSC for Ladakh and separate parliament seats for Leh and Kargil.

Haji Hanifa Jan Joint Candidate of Congress unit of Kargil and National Conference (NC) unit of Kargil also filed nomination papers as independent candidate at ARO Office Kargil with Senior Congress Leader Haji Asgar Ali Karbalia and NC Leader Qamar Ali Akhone accompanied him.

Addressing a press conference after filing nominations papers, Haji Hanifa Jan said that it is an opportunity to show a united face from Kargil and urged all the social religious organisations support him. Haji Hanifa said that they will talk to all other stakeholders including social religious organisations so that any differences between them are sorted out and a consensus candidate will be put before people.

While, Congress Leader and Acting Executive Councilor LAHDC Kargil Kacho Mohammad Feroz filed nomination papers for Ladakh Parliamentary Seat as Independent Candidate at ARO Office Kargil. Exman Tsering Namgyal also filed his nomination for the Ladakh Parliamentary seat.