Omar takes oath as first chief minister of UT of Jammu and Kashmir

LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER: OMAR THANKS PM MODI FOR CONGRATULATORY WISHES

17/10/2024

SRINAGAR, Oct 16: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
L-G Manoj Saxena administered the oath of office to Abdullah and his council of ministers at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to Omar Abdullah along with his council of ministers.
National Conference MLA from Mendhar Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar from Rafiabad, Sakina Itoo from DH Pora and Surinder Kumar Chowdhary were also administered oath by LG Sinha as ministers in Cabinet.
Independent MLA from Chhamb assmebly seat Satish Sharma was given a place in Omar Abdullah-led cabinet.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were also present for the swearing in ceremony.
Many INDIA Bloc leaders were present in the ceremony of the JKNC Vice President including Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Prakash Karat, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule, DMK MP Kanimozhi, AAP leader Sanjay Singh and CPI leader D Raja.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti was also present during the ceremony.
This came after the Congress-National Conference secured 48 seats, with the NC winning 42 and the Congress only six seats in the Jammu Kashmir assembly elections.
This will be the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the former state into two Union Territories.
Omar Abdullah's grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abullah, was the first Prime Minister of JK after its accession to India and later served as Chief Minister. Omar's father Farooq Abdullah has been the CM of the erstwhile state thrice.
Omar, a former Member of Parliament was the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state between 2009-2015. He had also served as Union Minister of State for External Affairs in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's NDA government from 2001 to 2002.
Jammu and Kashmir was under the Presidential rule since 2018, after the Bharatiya Janata Party withdrew its support from the coalition government with Mehbooba Mufti-led People's Democratic Party (PDP).
Recently, the president's rule in Jammu and Kashmir was revoked, clearing the way for the formation of a new government following the recently concluded Assembly polls in the Union Territory.
Omar thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday for his congratulatory wishes.
Omar Abdullah took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir earlier in the day.
In a post in response to the Prime Minister's post on X, Omar Abdullah said, "Thank you very much @narendramodi Sb for your message of congratulations. My colleagues and I look forward to working together with you to give the people of J-K an effective, efficient and honest administration."
Earlier, PM Modi extended greetings to Omar Abdullah on taking oath as the UT's first CM.
In a post on X, PM Modi assured the central government's cooperation with Omar Abdullah and his team for the valley's progress.
"Congratulations to 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," the Prime Minister said.
Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Saxena administered the oath of office to Omar Abdullah and his council of ministers at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
INDIA bloc leaders including Leader of Oppsition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Prakash Karat of CPI(M), Supriya Sule of the NCP and K Kanimozhi of DMK among others attended the swearing-in.
The NC-Congress alliance won majority in the assembly polls with Omar Abdullah, who is heading the National Conference-led government in the state, having the backing of parties of INDIA bloc and four independents.
Omar Abdullah had earlier served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir from 2009 and 2015. (ANI)

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty