Congress accuses National Conference of foul play in Ladakh polls

SRINAGAR: Omar Abdullah-led coalition is caught in a crisis as ally Congress is accusing National Conference ( NC) of making “a mess of the mandate” for governing the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil.

The council has 30 berths including four that state cabinet nominates from Buddhist minority and women. In elections held in August, two independents won uncontested, Congress bagged 10, NC won eight and the balance six seats were won by independents.

Congress got the support of five independents, but before the party could stake the claim for the leadership of the Council, the government nominated four NC cadres to the Council and tilted the balance in its favour.

Now, the Congress is crying foul over the nominations and is exploring possibilities of seeking judicial intervention.