Kargil Hill Council Chief to Recommend Dissolution; Possible BJP Move Draws Attention
Kargil, October 20: Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Kargil, has said he intends to recommend dissolving the council to the Union Territory administration. His announcement comes amid proposed constituency delimitation and changes to the administrative structure of Ladakh. Reports have also indicated that Akhoon may join the Bharatiya Janata Party, although a formal switch should not be treated as confirmed unless officially announced.
According to a report published by The Economic Times on October 20, Akhoon said the administration was expected to begin delimitation for the region’s hill councils, followed by elections. He said he had decided to recommend the dissolution of the Kargil council in view of these developments.
The proposal comes while the council’s existing term is scheduled to continue until October 2028. Any early dissolution would therefore involve a significant change to the current local-governance arrangement.
Delimitation and new councils cited as reasons
Akhoon has linked his decision to proposed changes in the administrative and electoral structure of Ladakh. Three new councils, Sankoo, Zanskar and Drass, have been carved out largely from areas previously associated with the Kargil Hill Council, according to the report.
Delimitation involves revising constituency boundaries and determining how electoral representation is organised. Changes to constituency boundaries and the creation of additional councils can affect the structure of local representation and the conduct of future elections.
Akhoon has argued that dissolving the existing council would help ensure transparency during the delimitation process. The next steps will depend on the response of the Union Territory administration and the applicable legal and administrative procedures.
The proposal does not, by itself, establish that the council has been dissolved or that fresh elections have been formally scheduled. The administration’s decision and any official notification will be important in determining how the process proceeds.
Dispute over power-sharing arrangement
Akhoon’s announcement follows a prolonged political dispute involving the National Conference and the Congress in Kargil. The two parties had formed an alliance after the 2023 Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections and agreed to share the Chief Executive Councillor’s position for two-and-a-half years each.
Under that arrangement, the National Conference was to lead the council during the first half of the term before transferring the position to its alliance partner, the Congress. Akhoon, who was elected chairman and Chief Executive Councillor in October 2023, declined to step down after completing two-and-a-half years in office.
The disagreement created tension between the two alliance partners. Congress leaders argued that the agreed transfer of leadership should take place, while Akhoon cited the changing circumstances in Ladakh and the interests of Kargil residents in explaining his position.
The leadership dispute developed into a wider political confrontation within the council. Reports in Indian media described attempts by Congress and National Conference members to challenge Akhoon’s continuation in office.
National Conference suspended Akhoon
The political situation changed further after Akhoon secured support from BJP-backed councillors during a council budget vote. The Indian Express reported in July 2026 that the National Conference expelled him from the party’s primary membership for six years, citing his support for the budget with BJP backing and the resulting party dispute.
The episode highlighted divisions within the council and complicated the earlier National Conference-Congress arrangement. Although the National Conference and Congress had entered the council with a shared governing understanding, their disagreement over the leadership transition weakened their working relationship.
The council’s political composition and the positions taken by individual councillors will remain relevant as the administration considers any proposal relating to dissolution, delimitation or future elections.
Possible move to the BJP
Akhoon’s recent political position has also prompted speculation about a possible move to the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Economic Times reported on October 20 that he may switch to the BJP, potentially along with some National Conference councillors.
However, the reported possibility of joining the BJP remains distinct from a confirmed party membership announcement. Any formal decision by Akhoon or other councillors should be established through an official statement or reliable confirmation from the parties concerned.
A potential change in party affiliation could affect political alignments in Kargil, particularly given the earlier disagreement between the National Conference and Congress. Its practical consequences would depend on the decisions made by Akhoon, individual councillors and the relevant political parties.
What happens next?
The next major steps concern the proposed recommendation to dissolve the council and the administration’s response. Officials will also need to clarify the process and timetable for delimitation and any subsequent elections.
The current term of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Kargil is due to end in October 2028. Whether the council is dissolved earlier will depend on formal decisions and the applicable legal framework.
For now, Akhoon’s announcement signals a potential change in Kargil’s local political landscape. The proposed dissolution, possible changes to constituency boundaries and speculation over his political future have brought the council’s leadership and electoral arrangements into focus. Further developments will depend on official decisions and confirmed announcements from Akhoon, the Ladakh administration and the political parties involved.
