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NC-Congress alliance in Kargil hill development council faces crisis as chair refuses to step down for power rotation
The NC-Congress alliance in the Kargil hill development council confronts a standoff after the current chairman-cum-CEC Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon refuses to quit under a 2023 power-sharing agreement. The dispute centers on rotating leadership to Congress and potential no-confidence moves as party leaders depict readiness to transfer power.
Why It Matters
A leadership impasse within a key autonomous council could disrupt local governance in Kargil and signal strain in the broader NC-Congress coalition in Ladakh, potentially affecting regional political dynamics ahead of future electoral or administrative steps.
Timeline
6 Events
Current council composition and executive arrangement
May 7, 2026
The council's composition is reported as: NC 12 members, Congress 10, BJP 2, and two independents. Four nominated councillors are aligned with the BJP, taking the BJP tally to six. The council also has four executive councillors—two from NC and two from Congress.
Congress leadership signals transfer of power to chairmanship
May 5, 2026
Ladakh Congress chief Farooq Abdullah stated the Congress was ready to hand over the chairmanship. The party claimed it had written consent from the NC, and Nasir Hussain Munshi would assume the role as next chair-cum-CEC.
Akhoon resists stepping down, cites extraordinary Ladakh situation
May 2, 2026
Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon refused to quit, arguing an extraordinary situation in Ladakh and claiming to act in the interests of his people. He said he has no personal interest and would consider any no-confidence motion. He also indicated Nasir Hussain Munshi would be the next chair-cum-CEC, and Asgar Ali Karbalai of the Ladakh Congress noted the agreement and written consent from the NC to transfer power.
NC completes its two-and-a-half-year term
April 18, 2026
The National Conference completed its two-and-a-half-year term under the power-sharing agreement on April 18, 2026, clearing the path for transfer of chairmanship to the Congress as per the deal.
Akhoon elected as chairman-cum-CEC of Kargil hill development council
October 18, 2023
Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon was elected as chairman-cum-CEC of the 30-member Kargil hill development council, marking the NC’s leadership role on the council.
Power-sharing agreement between NC and Congress
2023
Under the 2023 power-sharing agreement, both parties agreed to a two-and-a-half-year rotational hold on the chair, dividing leadership between NC and Congress for equal periods.