Srinagar, July 18: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) on Saturday expelled Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, from the party’s basic membership for six years, citing anti-party activities and indiscipline.

In an order issued by JKNC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, the party said “the disciplinary action was taken in view of Akhoon’s conduct, which had violated party discipline.” The action comes days after dramatic political developments in the Kargil Council, where the NC joined hands with the BJP to secure the passage of annual budget for 2026-27.

The relations between the NC and Congress had been strained for months over an alleged breach of their power-sharing agreement reached after the 2023 LAHDC-K elections, in which the two parties jointly swept the polls and formed the council.

Under the agreement, the post of Chief Executive Councillor was to be shared on a rotational basis, with Akhoon holding the office for the first two-and-a-half years before handing it over to the Congress for the remainder of the council’s term.

However, Akhoon refused to step down after completing his tenure, triggering a political standoff. In May, councillors submitted a no-confidence motion against him to the District Magistrate, Kargil, accusing him of reneging on the coalition pact.–(UNI)