‘Not Saints’: Sonam Wangchuk Says CJP Founders Have Political Ambitions, ‘Nothing Wrong With That’ - News18

**Sonam Wangchuk, the Ladakh activist who has become a rallying point for regional protests, said on Thursday that the founders of the newly‑formed Citizens’ Justice Platform (CJP) are “not saints” but have clear political ambitions – a stance he called “nothing wrong with that.”** Wangchuk, who was arrested in 2022 for his role in the demand for Ladakh’s Union Territory status, told reporters that the CJP’s leadership had openly discussed plans to transition from civil‑society activism to formal politics after the July 20 crackdown on anti‑government demonstrations. He added that the group’s founders had tried to “end the protest” once the state’s security forces moved in, a move he described as a pragmatic, if controversial, decision.

The activist’s comments were first reported by *News18* and subsequently echoed in coverage by *The Times of India*, *Hindustan Times*, *The Guardian* and *The Week*. While Wangchuk praised the honesty of the CJP leaders for acknowledging their aspirations, he also cautioned that the organization’s dual role—advocating for citizens’ rights while eyeing electoral power—could blur the line between grassroots activism and partisan politics. He emphasized that transparency about such ambitions, rather than a pretense of saintliness, would ultimately benefit India’s democratic discourse.

CJP officials have not yet issued a formal response to Wangchuk’s remarks. Political analysts note that the emergence of another activist‑turned‑political entity could reshape the already fragmented opposition landscape ahead of the 2029 general elections, especially in the North‑Eastern and Himalayan regions where local identity politics play a decisive role. Observers will be watching whether the CJP’s stated objectives translate into a concrete party platform or remain within the realm of civil society advocacy.

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