Examiner Bureau | Leh:
In a major political development, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has expelled Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, from the party’s primary membership for six years, citing anti-party activities and indiscipline.
The decision comes amid months of growing friction within the local INDIA bloc alliance, culminating in Dr. Akhoon’s refusal to step down in accordance with a pre-election rotational power-sharing agreement with the Indian National Congress (INC).
Announcing the decision, JKNC General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar said the party had removed Dr. Akhoon from its basic membership for six years.
“Dr. Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, has been removed from the basic membership of the party for a period of six years in view of his anti-party activities and for causing indiscipline within the party,” the JKNC said in a post on its official X handle.
Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Mohd Hanifa, who is also the District President of the National Conference in Kargil, declined to comment when contacted, saying he was attending a meeting.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, Dr. Jaffer Akhoon said he had not received any official communication regarding his expulsion.
“I have not received any communication so far,” he said, adding that he would continue to serve as the Chief Executive Councillor. He also claimed to enjoy the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), some National Conference councillors, Congress councillors, and independent members.
The LAHDC Kargil is currently governed by an alliance between the National Conference and the Congress, which secured a decisive mandate in the October 2023 council elections. The alliance won 22 of the 26 seats, with the National Conference securing 12 seats and the Congress 10. The BJP and independent candidates won two seats each.
As part of the coalition agreement, the National Conference and the Congress had agreed to a rotational arrangement for the post of Chief Executive Councillor, under which the leadership of the council was to be shared for fixed tenures during the council’s term.
Dr. Akhoon’s tenure under the rotational arrangement ended on April 18. However, he has not resigned from the post, prompting the Congress to move a no-confidence motion against him.
Senior Congress leaders, along with supporting councillors, were present during the submission of the motion and expressed confidence that the democratic process would be conducted fairly and in accordance with constitutional provisions.
