BJP preparing for LAHDC polls, central body to take final call: Ashok Koul

Leh: Amid the boycott call given by the apex body of people’s movement in Ladakh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing for the forthcoming LAHDC election but is waiting for the decision of the central body.

Pertinently, an apex body of the veteran leaders, politicians, religious and student organizations have called for a complete LAHDC poll boycott to pressurize the government for the 6th schedule.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Jammu and Kashmir Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), general secretary, Ashok Koul, said that the party is preparing for the election while it is waiting for the final decision from the central body and he was misquoted about the election boycott.

About the resentment and apology sought by the apex body of people’s movements, Koul stated that he has not said anything like that and some media houses have misquoted him. “We respect the sentiments of the people in Leh and we are with them.”

He said they are still talking to the workers and whatever is suggested will be decided in a day or two but so far there is no final decision about the election.

He said BJP is preparing for the forthcoming LAHDC polls to some extent but they have talked to the central body as well and have asked them what is to be done. “When the central body gives nod we will take part in the election process and we are a national party we know the sentiments of people but decision is up to them since we are not a regional party,” he said.

On being asked about the demand of constitutional safeguards to the region, he said they are talking about the same as well whatever there is they will see to it—(KNO)