We expect he will uphold dignity of constitutional post, take all stakeholders on board, says KDA
Arteev Sharma
Jammu: The leaders from Ladakh have expressed optimism that the newly-appointed Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, with his political background and past association with the region, will be more attuned to the Union Territory’s aspirations than his predecessor, Brigadier (retd) B D Mishra, a former army commander.
The leaders further hoped that he will not differentiate between the people on political lines and will adopt an “inclusive approach” while working towards the overall development of the Union Territory.
His appointment comes at a time when the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is preparing for the next round of talks with Ladakh’s leadership on the contentious demands of statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Veteran Buddhist leader and co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Chering Dorjay Lakrook, said Kavinder Gupta’s past “political engagements” in Ladakh give him an advantage in understanding the region’s challenges.
“Kavinder Gupta ji understands the situation in Ladakh better than his predecessor as he has worked here for his party,” Lakrook told The News Now.
“Although he will not be directly involved in the ongoing dialogue process between the Apex Body, Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), and the MHA, but we are optimistic that he will push developmental activities and work to meet the aspirations of the people,” he said.
At the same time, Lakrook cautioned that it would be premature to assess how the new LG will handle the sensitive political and socio-economic issues facing Ladakh.
Sajjad Kargili, senior leader of KDA said the newly appointed Lieutenant Governor will have to adopt a “balanced and non-partisan approach” besides he will have to take all stakeholders on board while dealing with all major issues confronting Ladakh.
“Ladakh is going through a sensitive phase. As a BJP leader now holding a constitutional post, he must uphold its dignity and ensure that all stakeholders are taken on board,” Kargili said, adding “This position is temporary, but the people will remember him for his role and contribution in shaping the future of the region.”
The KDA leader said there are definitely doubts in the minds of opposition leaders as he belongs to the BJP. “He will have to demonstrate statesmanship and build trust across the political spectrum,” he said.
Born in Smailpur village—also the birthplace of Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, Kavinder Gupta having deep roots in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has held several key positions in the BJP over the years. He began his political journey in 1988 as the District President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), later serving as its State President from 1993 to 1998.
Kavinder Gupta was the first Mayor of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and held the position for three consecutive terms. He was elected to the J&K Assembly from the Gandhi Nagar constituency in 2014, defeating senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla in a traditional Congress bastion. In the 2002 and 2008 Assembly elections, Gupta was initially given the BJP mandate from the Jammu West Assembly segment, but the party changed its candidates at the last minute.
On March 18, 2015, he was elected Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, a role he held until April 29, 2018. In 2018, Gupta was appointed Deputy Chief Minister, replacing Dr. Nirmal Singh.
