“Photos via social media (Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi’s WhatsApp channels).”
Jammu and Kashmir, October 16, 2024: National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah has been sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on Wednesday, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administering the oath of office.
Historic Ceremony at SKICC
The ceremony marked a historic moment for the region, with Omar Abdullah taking the lead of the newly formed Union Territory government. Alongside Omar, five other ministers were sworn in. Surinder Choudhary assumed the role of Deputy Chief Minister, while Sakina Itoo, the only woman minister, took her oath after winning from the Noorabad constituency in Kulgam. Other key figures in the new Cabinet include Javed Rana from Mendhar in Rajouri, Javed Dar from Chamb in Jammu, and Satish Sharma.
Congress Opts for Outside Support
In a significant political move, the Congress party chose to stay out of the government. Hours before the ceremony, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Karra announced that the party would provide outside support, expressing dissatisfaction over the continued Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir. Although the Congress won six seats in the recent Assembly elections, Karra confirmed that the party would not join the council of ministers due to concerns over the lack of statehood restoration.
High-Profile Attendance at Swearing-In
The event witnessed the attendance of several prominent leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Mallikarjun Kharge. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, CPI leaders Prakash Karat and D Raja, DMK’s Kanimozhi, and NCP’s Supriya Sule were also present. Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti attended the event, adding to the political significance of the occasion.
Omar Abdullah’s Vision for Jammu and Kashmir
In his speech following the oath, Omar Abdullah expressed his optimism that Jammu and Kashmir would not remain a Union Territory for long, vowing to work towards the restoration of full statehood. He emphasized that his government’s first priority would be addressing the needs and concerns of the people, stating, “We have the mandate from the people to resolve their problems, and that is what we aim to do from day one.”
No Rift with Congress, Says Omar Abdullah
Despite Congress’ decision to stay out of the government, Omar Abdullah denied any rift between the National Conference and the Congress. Speaking to PTI, he remarked, “There is no discord between NC and Congress. If there were, senior Congress leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi would not have attended today’s ceremony.”
Congratulatory Messages from Political Leaders
Following the swearing-in ceremony of Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, several political leaders extended their best wishes.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Omar Abdullah on his swearing-in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed his best wishes, stating, “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.”
“Heartiest congratulations to the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah, and all the members of his Cabinet. Thank you to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for raising the voice of justice and democracy through the power of their vote, and best wishes for the future.”
— Priyanka Gandhi
“Today, I attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah, along with senior leaders of the INDIA alliance. The government in Jammu and Kashmir under the INDIA alliance will be one of justice, hope, and prosperity. This is the people’s government of Jammu and Kashmir, which will fight for the rights and entitlements of every resident, from the Assembly to Delhi. The INDIA alliance government will work with full dedication to restore the long-pending rights of the people and fulfill all its promises and public expectations.”
— Rahul Gandhi
Akhilesh Yadav also shared photos on his social media platform, writing:
“Writing a new destiny, this is Kashmir! Unity is ‘INDIA’!”
Sharing a beautiful view of the Kashmir valley, Akhilesh Yadav captioned the photo:
“लिखने जा रहा नयी तक़दीर है, ये कश्मीर है!” ..Unity is ‘INDIA’!
