While 14 other constituencies going to polls in the first phase are witnessing multi-cornered contest, it is a face-off between Congress and BJP in Leh, where polling will be held on November 25.
Senior leaders and spokesmen of both the regional parties, PDP and NC, were not available to comment on the issue of not fielding candidates on the seat.
"Our main plank is self rule for Jammu and Kashmir but over the years, the Buddhist majority of Leh has been striving for a Union Territory status. Fielding a candidate could have led to tension in the Constituency post polls," a PDP leader, who wished anonymity, said.
JK Housing and Urban Development minister and Congress candidate, Nawang Rigzin Jora, is seeking a third consecutive term from Leh seat.
Jora's is facing BJP's Chering Dorjay.
While Dorjay, a former Congressman who switched to BJP, will be hoping that the voting pattern of the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year is repeated.
Thupstan Chewwang was the first BJP candidate to win the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat and political observers attributed the success mainly to top party leaders campaigning in the cold desert region of the state.
In 2002 Assembly polls, Jora was elected unopposed when the demand for creating a Union Territory for Ladakh region was at its peak.
The winner, Jora, bagged 50.50 per cent of the total votes polled while Chewwang got 46.45 per cent.
Both the candidates for this year's poll in Leh are businessmen -- Jora is a hotelier and Dorjay owns a dairy.
Both of them are graduates, although Jora has mentioned in the affidavit that he is "literate -- can read and write".
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories
Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app