The BJP has nominated Advocate Tashi Gyaltson, who currently serves as CEC of LAHDC, Leh, as their candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Ladakh constituency.

The Congress party took a significant longer time to announce their candidate. They finally nominated Councillor in LAHDC, Leh for Lower Leh constituency, Tsering Namgyal. His candidature was announced after Congress leaders in Kargil and National Conference (NC), Kargil decided to extend support to independent candidate and District President of NC, Kargil, Haji Hanifa Jan. 

Members of Congress party in Leh were disappointed by this move from party members in  Kargil. Thus, Congress, Ladakh’s state President, Rigzin Jora and other party members, announced the nomination of Tsering Namgyal for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Jora spoke about the discord between Leh and Kargil units of Congress while discussing potential candidates. He said, “It is not surprising for me as Congress party in both districts is equally strong and both have the right to ask for the mandate.” Considering the performance of Leh Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, which was below expectations, it was anticipated that Kargil would receive the mandate this time. Aam Admi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party in Ladakh have extended their support to Tsering Namgyal.

During campaigning for BJP in Leh, incumbent MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal stated that the nomination of Tsering Namgyal was a strategy to divert votes in Ladakh. On 3rd May, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal was warmly welcomed back by members of BJP party, which ended speculation of a rift within the party. He affirmed his continued allegiance to the party and has ben participating in the election campaign.

The deadline for withdrawal of nomination papers in Ladakh was 6th May and several candidates from Kargil District withdrew their candidature. This included Feroz Ahmed Khan and Sajjad Hussain who extended support to Haji Hanifa Jan. Consequently, Kargil district now has just one candidate contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

There are now three candidates contesting the Lok Sabha election from Ladakh. This includes BJP candidate Tashi Gyaltson, Congress candidate Tsering Namgyal, and independent candidate, Haji Hanifa Jan.