Srinagar: The Ladakh region of Indian administered Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), is hosting the world’s highest electoral battlefield with the “Siachen Glacier” (6000 metres or 20,000 feet) yet again in the focus.

This time, however, it is not due to the conflict between India and Pakistan over the glacier or numerous incursions by Chinese army, but for the likelihood of it turning into the world’s highest electoral battlefield between Congress and BJP, where polling is scheduled to be held on May 7.

With the fourth phase of polling over on Wednesday, for central Kashmir, Srinagar constituency, marred by violence that left one youth dead in police firing and a very low turnout of 26 per cent, the Ladakh parliamentary constituency, representing 159,631 voters has become “win at any cost” for both front running national parties, Congress and BJP.

Given the strategic importance of the region in the backdrop of Indian and Pakistani armies stationed against each other at the world’s highest battle field, the region enjoys significance in the context of Indo-China relations as well.

Chinese claim over a part of the region and numerous incursions by Chinese army in recent past has given it a greater importance from defence point of view. Given the sensitivity of bordering rivals, Pakistan and China, Ladakh is a political priority for national parties.

Additionally, in the absence of any influence of regional parties, the contest for constituency has put Congress and BJP into a “do or die” situation.

Despite the fact that Buddhists of Leh, who are in majority, demanding a Union Territory status for Ladakh, a demand opposed by the people of Kargil (out of the fear of Buddhist domination), people from both districts believe that only way to development is to go with national mainstream.

Congress in order to woo the major chunk of electorate, Buddhists from Leh district, recently indicated to grant the Union Territory status to Ladakh, if voted to power.

This indication was very strongly opposed by its ally, the National Conference (NC), terming it as an unacceptable attempt to divide the state, in violation of Article 370 of Indian constitution, under which the state enjoys a special status.

Ladakh is culturally, ethnically and geographically altogether a different region from Kashmir and to understand its political atmosphere, it is important to visit its long history of communal, polarisation that brought the question to the fore again in 1989, when it witnessed violent clashes between Buddhists and Muslims, culminating at a boycott of Muslims that was finally lifted in 1992.

The region was finally bifurcated into Buddhist majority Leh and Muslim Majority Kargil districts in 1997. Prior to that, giving in to the demand of people, state government under central governor rule, had agreed to grant Ladakh the status of Autonomous Hill Development Council in 1993.

Later in 2002 under the flag of Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF), Leh put forth yet another demand of union territory status for Ladakh, however due to the shifting of loyalties towards Congress and NC by some of the leaders, the Front was dissolved and merged with BJP.

BJP has fielded Thumpstan Chhewang, former head of Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF), while Congress leader Tsering Samphel is contesting from NC/ Congress alliance.

BJP is believed to be in a stronger position in Ladakh constituency, given the fact that out of dissatisfaction over candidature within its cadres, Congress suffered desertion in Kargil, where two influential schools of Islamic thought have fielded their candidates as independents. Interestingly Imam Khomeni Memorial trust has fielded Ghulam Raza, District Congress president as its candidate, while as Islamia School has fielded Haji Agha syed Qasim Sabri, who owes allegiance to NC. This likelihood of division in vote bank has given Congress a reason to worry about.

With two more independent candidates from Kargil in fray, the electoral war has become interesting since Leh and Kargil have a history of reacting vice-versa. It was due to divide in Buddhist vote in 1999, that Ghulam Hassan Khan; an independent candidate from Kargil won, defeating P. Namgyal of Congress by a narrow margin of 3,600 votes.

Given the strategical and political importance of the region, both Congress and BJP are specially despatching their star campaigners to Ladakh next week.

Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to address an election rally here on Tuesday, while as BJP’s Nitin Ghatkari addressed one on Sunday.

In order to woo the voters, it is believed that BJP will indicate granting of Union Territory status to the region.

Rahul Gandhi, while keeping in mind the stand of its alliance partner NC and the aspirations of people from Kargil over the issue, is expected to play his cards safely.