SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has appointed Surender Choudhary, a party leader from Nowshera in Jammu, as his deputy. This decision is aimed at ensuring representation for the region and fostering an inclusive government. Abdullah expressed his commitment to taking everyone along, stating, “Our endeavour will be to take everyone along.”

Choudhary, a notable political figure who previously served with both the PDP and BJP, made headlines for defeating BJP’s J-K president Ravinder Raina in Nowshera by a margin of 7,819 votes. Abdullah emphasized that the choice of a deputy chief minister from Jammu was deliberate to ensure that the people of the region feel represented and valued in the new government.

“I had said that we will not allow Jammu to feel that they do not have a voice or representatives in this government. I have chosen a deputy chief minister from Jammu so that the people of Jammu feel that this government is as much theirs as it is of the rest,” Abdullah stated.

The swearing-in ceremony also saw five ministers take their oaths: Sakina Masood (Itoo), Javed Dar, Javed Rana, Surinder Choudhary, and Satish Sharma. Abdullah noted that there are currently three vacancies in the cabinet, which will be filled gradually.

This marks the first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which resulted in the bifurcation of the former state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. In the recent assembly elections, the National Conference secured 42 out of 90 seats, while its alliance partner, Congress, won six. Together, the two parties hold a majority in the 95-member assembly, which includes five members to be nominated by the Lieutenant Governor.

SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed confidence on Wednesday that Jammu and Kashmir will soon regain full statehood and not remain a Union territory for long. Just hours before taking his oath of office, the National Conference leader shared his thoughts with PTI Videos, emphasizing that ministerial vacancies would be filled gradually, as discussions continue with Congress and his own team.

In response to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s offer to share his insights on managing a “half-state” like Delhi, Abdullah acknowledged the value of learning from others. “I’ve learned many lessons over six years, made mistakes, and aim to avoid repeating them. It is only a fool who keeps making the same errors,” he said, underscoring his commitment to learning.

He stated, “I sincerely believe that we will not be a UT for a long time. Therefore, this so-called half-state status is temporary, and we will soon be a full state.” Abdullah’s recent appointment marks him as the first chief minister of J&K following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the former state into two Union territories. He previously served as chief minister from 2008 to 2014.

Describing the Union territory status as unfortunate, he reiterated, “I have always maintained that our status as a UT is temporary. We have commitments from the Government of India, particularly from the Prime Minister and Home Minister, that statehood will be restored to J&K, and we hope that happens soon.”

Acknowledging his government’s responsibility to the people, Abdullah stated, “We have the mandate to work towards resolving their problems, and that is our focus from day one.” He also conveyed his generally positive outlook, admitting, “There is a lot of nervousness, but I have immense faith in the Almighty to show the way, and I will do my best.”

Srinagar, October 16: Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir today. The ceremony will take place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, with J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administering the oath of office to Abdullah and his council of ministers.

Security has been tightened around Omar Abdullah’s residence ahead of the event.

The swearing-in comes after the Congress-NC alliance secured 48 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, with the NC winning 42 and Congress six seats. This marks the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganization of the state into two Union Territories.

Omar Abdullah, grandson of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah—the first Prime Minister of J&K after its accession to India and later Chief Minister—and son of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, previously served as J&K’s CM from 2009 to 2015. He also held the position of Union Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA government from 2001 to 2002.

Jammu and Kashmir had been under President’s rule since 2018, following the collapse of the coalition government between the BJP and Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The revocation of President’s rule, following recent Assembly elections, paved the way for the formation of a new government.

In a letter shared by Omar Abdullah on X, LG Sinha confirmed the swearing-in: “I shall administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to you and your Council of Ministers at SKICC, Srinagar on 16th October, 2024.”

Several leaders from the INDIA Bloc have arrived in Srinagar to attend the ceremony, including Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Supriya Sule (NCP), Prakash Karat (CPI-M), Kanimozhi (DMK), and D Raja (CPI). The JKNC shared photos of the leaders arriving for the event on social media, marking the occasion as a significant political milestone in J&K’s post-Article 370 era.