Jammu, Leh : Kavinder Gupta, a veteran BJP leader and former Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister is all set to be sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
The oath-taking ceremony will occur on Friday morning in Leh, officiated by Justice Arun Palli, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal is expected to read Gupta’s warrant of appointment during the ceremony, which will take place at Raj Niwas at 9:30 am. The event will be attended by various dignitaries, including Chief Executive Councilors and Executive Councilors from the Leh and Kargil Hill Councils, representatives from the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, as well as senior officials from civil administration and police. Gupta arrived in Ladakh to a warm welcome at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche airport, coinciding with Justice Palli’s arrival for the ceremony. Notably, Gupta is the first politician to assume the role of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, a position previously held by non-political appointees, including retired IAS officer Radha Krishna Mathur and Army veteran Brigadier (Dr.) B. D. Mishra. Gupta’s political background includes serving as Deputy Chief Minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government, which collapsed in June 2018 due to the BJP’s withdrawal of support, citing security concerns in the region.
