The BJP on Tuesday dropped its sitting MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal for Ladakh Lok Sabha seat and announced that Tashi Gyalson, who is a local council chief, will represent the party in upcoming Lok Sabha polls. In 2019, Namgyal hit the headlines for his viral speech in Lok Sabha to defend the Modi government’s decision to repeal Article 370 and make Ladakh a separate Union Territory.

The BJP’s decision to drop Namgyal comes amid resentment towards the ruling party among a section of Buddhists in Leh. The Union territory will vote on May 20, which will be the fifth phase of the ongoing general election. The Congress is yet to announce its candidate for the seat. Ladakh is the only Lok Sabha constituency of the Union territory.There is also possibility that the party may drop Brijbhushan Singh from Kaisarganj and give ticket to his wife.

Gyalson is the chairman-cum-chief executive councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council in Leh.  Gyalson, who is also a lawyer, is in a better position to maintain the BJP’s hold over the seat, which also includes Muslim-majority Kargil. Polling is scheduled for May 20 in the constituency.

Hours after the announcement, Namgyal said his supporters across the Union Territory are voicing disapproval over the decision.

 “Today, the BJP announced a new candidate for the Ladakh parliamentary constituency, replacing the sitting MP without providing transparent and compelling justification,” Namgyal said in a post on social media platform Facebook.

 “I have communicated my disagreement to the party leadership through proper channels regarding this injustice to a dedicated ‘karyakarta’. Hundreds of BJP activists and my supporters from across Ladakh have also voiced their disapproval of this decision,” he said.

 “We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine our next course of action, keeping the well-being of the people of Ladakh at the forefront. I extend heartfelt gratitude to all supporters for their steadfast backing,” he said.