Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) President Farooq Abdullah with his son and party Vice President Omar Abdullah
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of Omar Abdullah as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir were finalised on Tuesday with security measures heightened in and around the venue, to ensure a safe and smooth event.
SK International Conference Centre (SKICC), situated along the banks of Dal Lake, the venue for the event has been meticulously arranged, with decorations and seating set for the expected gathering of dignitaries, party leaders, and supporters.
Abdullah, along with his Council of Ministers, will take the oath of office administered by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at 11:30 a.m. on October 16. Abdullah’s return to the chief ministerial role has sparked considerable excitement among the public, marking a pivotal moment for the region.
The Lieutenant Governor officially invited Abdullah to assume office on Monday, heralding the establishment of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since June 2018.
Leaders from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, the national opposition front, are anticipated to attend, with prominent figures such as Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule from the NCP, and Shiromani Akali Dal’s Sukhbir Singh Badal expected to arrive by Tuesday evening.
The NC-Congress alliance, which secured a total of 48 seats out of 90 in the recent elections—42 for the National Conference and six for Congress—will form the new government. Under the J&K Reorganisation Act, which followed the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, Abdullah's cabinet will be limited to nine members, including himself, reflecting the stipulation that the council of ministers be 10 percent of the legislative assembly.
With a smaller cabinet size, Abdullah faces a challenging task in selecting ministers from both his party and allies. A senior NC leader indicated that the cabinet list will be finalised by Tuesday evening, ensuring representation from both Kashmir and Jammu, as promised by the Chief Minister-designate.
The last assembly election in the erstwhile state occurred in 2014, resulting in a coalition government between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This government collapsed in June 2018, leading to President’s rule and the region’s bifurcation into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh—following the abrogation of its special status.
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