October 16, 2024 – Srinagar: In a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory (UT) after the abrogation of Article 370. Abdullah, representing the National Conference (NC), secured his position following his party’s victory in the maiden assembly elections.

The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administering the oath of office to Abdullah and his council of ministers. This marks Abdullah’s second term as chief minister, following his first tenure from 2009 to 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir was still a state.

Omar Abdullah ji took oath as CM…

On this occasion, Honorable @RahulGandhi ji and @yadavakhilesh and big leaders of India Alliance were present…#OmarAbdullah #JammuKashmir pic.twitter.com/N6l6NRkNsb

— बीपीएससी शिक्षक बहाली,बिहार (@ShikshakBahali) October 16, 2024

Joining Abdullah in the new government are ministers Sakina Itoo, Javeed Rana, Surinder Choudhary, Javeed Dar, and Satish Sharma. The election results, declared on October 8, saw the NC-Congress alliance securing a majority with 48 seats, with the Congress winning six.

Despite attending the event in large numbers, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge expressed discontent with the Centre’s refusal to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. As a result, the Congress has chosen not to join the newly formed ministry, with JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra confirming the party’s stance on continuing the fight for statehood.

Prominent leaders from the INDIA Bloc, including Akhilesh Yadav, Prakash Karat, D Raja, Kanimozhi, and Supriya Sule, were also in attendance, along with PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.

This new government marks the first elected administration in the region since the constitutional changes in 2019.