The Ladakh parliamentary constituency, the largest in India by area, will vote on May 20 for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This election marks the first major contest in Ladakh since it became a Union Territory in 2019.
Originally, the contest was between the BJP and the Congress. However, an alliance of local groups fielded an Independent candidate, creating a three-way race. The BJP dropped its sitting MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and nominated Tashi Gyalson. The Congress nominated Tsering Namgyal.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) entered the fray with Haji Haneefa Jan, the Kargil district president of the National Conference (NC). Ladakh has seen protests over demands for statehood and constitutional protections. These included a 66-day hunger strike that ended recently.
This seat has over 1.84 lakh voters, with a majority in the Muslim-dominated Kargil district and the remainder in Leh district.
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