What Led to Ladakh's Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta's Sudden Resignation?

Kavinder Gupta has resigned from his position as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh just eight months after taking office. His tenure was marked by increasing unrest and protests from local groups advocating for statehood and job reservations. Gupta's political career includes significant roles within the BJP and a history of public service in Jammu. His resignation follows a visit where he faced public anger, highlighting the challenges he faced during his time in office. Discover the details behind his departure and its implications for Ladakh's political landscape.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 5, 2026, 21:17 IST

Ladakh's Lt Governor Steps Down After Eight Months

Kavinder Gupta, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, tendered his resignation on Thursday, just eight months after taking office.

He was sworn in on July 18, 2025, marking his position as the third LG of the Union Territory.

His time in office was marked by increasing unrest, with local civil society groups, including the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, advocating for statehood, protections under the Sixth Schedule, and job reservations for residents.

Reports indicate that Gupta encountered public discontent during a visit to a monastery on Wednesday.

At 66 years old, Gupta's political journey began at the age of 13 when he joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He spent thirteen months in jail during the Emergency period.

From 1978 to 1979, he served as the secretary of the Punjab unit of the Vishva Hindu Parishad and led the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha from 1993 to 1998.

Gupta made history by being elected Mayor of Jammu for three consecutive terms from 2005 to 2010. In the 2014 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, he represented the Bharatiya Janata Party and won the Gandhinagar seat, defeating the incumbent MLA Raman Bhalla from Congress.

On March 19, 2015, he became the first BJP leader to be elected as the Speaker of the J&K Assembly.

Following a cabinet reshuffle on April 30, 2018, Gupta was appointed Deputy Chief Minister, succeeding Nirmal Kumar Singh.

However, he resigned just 51 days later when the BJP withdrew from its coalition with the PDP.

During a press conference led by Ram Madhav, then BJP National General Secretary, the decision to end the alliance was announced, citing failures of the CM Mehbooba Mufti-led government, including rising violence and threats to fundamental rights as key reasons.