National Conference leader Omar Abdullah today took oath as the chief minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. National Conference, in alliance with Congress, CPI(M) and Panthers Party, all part of INDIA bloc, secured majority in the 90 member assembly in the the recently concluded elections. The event was attended by major leaders from the INDIA bloc including Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi, D Raja among others.

The ceremony  was held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Omar Abdullah is assuming the officer as chief minister of the northern state for the second time. His first term as chief minister was from 2009 to 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir was  state. Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath to the chief minister and his ministers. It will be the first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the former state in the Union Territory.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the new chief minister, wishing him very best in his efforts to serve the people.”The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J&K’s progress,” he wrote in a post on X.

Congratulations to Shri Omar Abdullah Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Wishing him the very best in his efforts to serve the people. The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J&K’s progress. @OmarAbdullah

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 16, 2024

Read Also: “Issue Is Alive”: Omar Abdullah On Article 370 After Winning Jammu Kashmir Elections

Notably, the Congress party has decided not to be part of the newly formed government by joining the council of ministers, stating that the grand old party was unhappy for not restoring the statehood to the Union Territory.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra said that the party has strongly demanded the restoration of the statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. It stated it raised the demand time and again to the Prime Minister Modi and Union Government. Tariq Hameed Karra then said the party had decided not to join the ministry at the moment due its resentment over not restoring statehood for the Jammu and Kashmir.