(Image source from: x.com/INCJammuKashmir)
Omar Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference party, has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which has its first government since losing its special status. The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, also administered the oath of office to five other lawmakers from Abdullah's party. The Congress party, which had allied with Abdullah's party but performed poorly in the elections, has decided not to be part of the government. The Congress was offered one ministerial position, but they declined and instead chose to support the government from outside. Top leaders from the INDIA alliance, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, K Kanimozhi, Supriya Sule, D Raja, and Sanjay Singh, attended the swearing-in ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar. Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Chief Minister, was also present. Abdullah, the first elected head of Jammu and Kashmir in a decade, expressed hope that the Union Territory status would be temporary for the region.
आज नेता विपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi और कांग्रेस महासचिव श्रीमती @priyankagandhi जम्मू-कश्मीर सरकार के शपथ ग्रहण समारोह में शामिल हुए।
— J&K Congress (@INCJammuKashmir) October 16, 2024
जम्मू-कश्मीर pic.twitter.com/E45QYk6H2X
I look forward to collaborating with the Indian government to address the people's concerns. The best way to do this would be by restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr. Abdullah led his party to a significant victory in the recent elections, securing 42 seats out of 90. With the support of four independent members and one AAP legislator, as well as the Congress party, which won 6 seats, his party has gained a strong position. Despite his earlier defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Abdullah has made a remarkable comeback by winning the Budgam and Ganderbal seats and entering the assembly.
#WATCH | Omar Abdullah takes oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024
The leaders from INDIA bloc including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, AAP… pic.twitter.com/IA2ttvCwEJ
