Jammu-Kashmir New CM / Omar Abdullah became the Chief Minister of J-K, LG Manoj Sinha administered the oath

Omar Abdullah took oath as the first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Supriya Sule and Akhilesh Yadav attended the swearing-in ceremony in Srinagar. Congress has refused to join the government and announced support from outside.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Oct 16, 2024, 11:58 AM

Jammu-Kashmir New CM: After the end of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir after the removal of Article 370, a new chapter began today when National Conference leader Omar Abdullah took oath as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Omar Abdullah and members of his Council of Ministers at this important ceremony held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Center in Srinagar. Omar Abdullah has become the Chief Minister for the first time in the history of the Union Territory and the second time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.

India Alliance's show of strength

On this occasion, the India Alliance of opposition parties participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Omar Abdullah, demonstrating unity. It included prominent leaders like senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Supriya Sule from NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, CPI leader D Raja, and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav. This presence gave the message that the opposition parties stand together in this new political scenario.

Omar Abdullah's new cabinet

Along with Omar Abdullah, four key members of his new council of ministers also took oath. The ministers included in Omar's cabinet are as follows:

Sakina Itoo
Surendra Chaudhary
Javed Ahmed Rana
Satish Sharma

Tribute to Sheikh Abdullah

Before taking oath, Omar Abdullah visited the memorial of his grandfather, National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and paid tribute to him. 54-year-old Omar Abdullah, wearing a Pathani suit and coat, offered flowers at the memorial of Sheikh Abdullah and prayed in his memory. With this emotional moment, Omar started a new chapter in his political career.

Differences between Congress and Omar government

Differences have emerged between Congress and National Conference before the swearing-in. Congress has decided not to join Omar Abdullah's government and will now support the government from outside. Congress and National Conference had contested the elections by forming a pre-poll alliance, but now Congress has refused to be a part of the government. The main reason for this is that Congress was demanding two ministerial posts, while Omar Abdullah offered only one ministerial post. Despite this decision of Congress, Omar Abdullah said that "all is well" and he did not call it a big issue.

Electoral success of National Conference

National Conference has won 42 out of 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. BJP got 29 seats, Congress 6, PDP 3, JPC 1, CPI(M) 1, Aam Aadmi Party 1 and 7 independent candidates have won. Congress and National Conference contested the elections in alliance, but the performance of Congress was not as expected. For this reason, after the elections, Congress has not been given much importance in the Omar government.

Challenges for Omar Abdullah

Omar Abdullah, who has started his second innings as Chief Minister, has many challenges in front of him. After the removal of Article 370, the special status of Jammu and Kashmir has ended, due to which new equations have emerged at the political and social level. Along with this, Omar will have to take steps towards development and stability in the region while maintaining coordination with the central government.

In this new political scenario, Omar Abdullah's government will have to work with external support and the complexities of alliances. However, his leadership ability and his family's political legacy in Kashmir prepare him for this new responsibility.