The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, July 15: A significant political realignment appears to have emerged in the Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council (KAHDC), with the National Conference (NC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) joining hands to ensure the passage of the Council’s annual budget, even as the Congress stayed away from the proceedings.
The development comes amid an ongoing political crisis triggered by a no-confidence motion moved against Chairman-cum-Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Dr Mohammad Jaffar Akhoon, raising questions over the future of the NC-Congress alliance in the Council.
The annual budget for 2026-27, estimated at ₹255 crore, was approved after 20 members in the 30-member Council voted in its favour. Those supporting the budget included all 12 NC councillors, six BJP councillors, one Congress member and one Independent councillor. Nine Congress councillors and one Independent remained absent from the House.
The budget had remained pending for weeks due to the political standoff, delaying developmental works in the district. The meeting was convened by the Deputy Commissioner, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Council.
Speaking after the session, Dr Akhoon said the budget had been passed with the support of 20 councillors, exceeding the majority mark of 16 in the House.
He argued that the outcome had effectively diminished the relevance of the no-confidence motion, which was submitted in May with the backing of 16 councillors seeking his removal.
The Council comprises 30 members, including 26 elected and four nominated councillors, all of whom have voting rights. The NC has 12 members, Congress 10, BJP six and there are two Independents.
The political crisis began after Congress invoked a pre-poll power-sharing agreement under which the NC was to hold the Chairperson’s post for the first two-and-a-half years, followed by the Congress for the remaining term. Dr Akhoon completed his stipulated tenure in April but declined to step down, citing the reorganisation of Ladakh into seven districts, including the bifurcation of Kargil district.
On May 14, a no-confidence motion was signed by 16 councillors—nine from Congress, five from the NC and two Independents—appearing to place Dr Akhoon’s position in jeopardy.
However, the latest House proceedings indicate a marked shift in loyalties, with all NC councillors backing the budget alongside the BJP. Political observers say the development could significantly alter the balance of power in the Kargil Council and weaken the Congress’ bid to take over the Council leadership under the earlier power-sharing arrangement.
Dr Akhoon also announced that he would soon appoint two Executive Councillors to fill vacancies created after Congress members resigned from the executive following the political fallout.
The development comes a day after the Ladakh administration announced that all seven districts of the Union Territory will eventually have Autonomous Hill Development Councils. Currently, only Kargil has a functioning Council, while elections to the Leh Hill Council have been pending since the completion of its term in October 2025 following the creation of new districts.
