Omar Abdullah Sworn In as Jammu & Kashmir CM, Pledges People-Friendly Governance

Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference (NC), took the oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) on Wednesday, marking the first elected government in the Union Territory since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019. Abdullah, who previously served as the state’s CM from 2009 to 2014, made a strong statement by directing the Jammu & Kashmir police to avoid creating a ‘green corridor’ during his road movements and instructed that public inconvenience be minimized.

His swearing-in ceremony took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. Abdullah’s return to office as the head of the first elected government in post-Article 370 J&K brings hope for the restoration of statehood and the resolution of long-standing issues. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders have extended their congratulations and pledged to work closely with the new administration for the progress of the region.

Abdullah’s People-Friendly Governance Stance

In his first public statement post-oath, Omar Abdullah emphasized his intent to maintain a people-friendly approach during his tenure. He instructed the J&K police to refrain from aggressive security measures like siren-blaring, stick-waving, and halting traffic to create VIP corridors. His directive was aimed at reducing public disturbance, especially during official travel.

“I have spoken to the Director General of Jammu & Kashmir police that there should be no ‘green corridor’ or traffic stoppage when I move by road. The use of sirens should be minimal, and any form of aggressive security gestures should be avoided,” Abdullah said. He further requested his cabinet colleagues to adopt the same approach, stressing that the government is there to serve the people rather than inconvenience them.

This move marks a departure from typical VIP culture, with Abdullah setting an example by adhering to traffic norms, just as he had done during his previous term.

The Road Ahead: Challenges as Union Territory CM

Taking office as the Chief Minister of a Union Territory, Abdullah acknowledged the unique challenges of governing J&K in its new administrative setup. “I was the last Chief Minister to serve a full six-year term, and now I am the first to take office as the CM of J&K as a Union Territory,” he remarked. Despite these challenges, Abdullah expressed optimism, stating his belief that the Union Territory status is temporary and that he would work closely with the central government to restore statehood and address the problems of the region’s citizens.

This reflects Abdullah’s broader agenda, focusing on cooperation with the Union government to push for the restoration of statehood, which has been a primary demand of regional parties since the 2019 bifurcation of the state.

A New Government Takes Shape: A Diverse Cabinet

Alongside Abdullah, several key leaders from the National Conference were sworn in as part of the new cabinet. Among those appointed were National Conference MLAs Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, Sakina Itoo, and Surinder Kumar Chowdhary. The inclusion of Chowdhary as the Deputy Chief Minister was a strategic move aimed at ensuring the representation of Jammu in the new government.

“I have chosen a Deputy CM from Jammu to ensure the people of Jammu feel included in the governance process,” Abdullah explained. Surinder Kumar Chowdhary, a former member of both the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was a significant figure in this decision. He defeated BJP’s J&K president Ravinder Raina in the Nowshera constituency, marking an important win for the National Conference.

Abdullah emphasized that inclusivity would be at the heart of his administration, seeking to bring together all regions and communities of J&K. His government, which still has three ministerial positions open, aims to fill those vacancies gradually, with a focus on balance and representation across regions.

National Conference’s Victory and the Formation of Government

The National Conference emerged victorious in the recent assembly elections, winning 42 out of 90 seats, making it the largest party in the new legislative assembly. Abdullah’s party formed an alliance with the Congress, which won seven seats. Four independent MLAs and the lone Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA also extended their support, enabling Abdullah to cross the majority mark of 45 seats necessary to form the government.

The elections, held over three phases from September 18 to October 1, were the first in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370. They were also held under the framework of J&K being a Union Territory, rather than a full-fledged state, which significantly altered the political landscape.

Despite its best efforts, the BJP, which campaigned heavily on the back of Article 370’s abrogation, managed to win only 29 seats, making it the second-largest party in the assembly. However, it failed to secure enough allies to form a government.

Regional and National Responses

Abdullah’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent leaders from across India. Among those present were top INDIA alliance members, including Congress leaders Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, and other political figures from various opposition parties.

In a show of goodwill, Prime Minister Modi extended his congratulations to Abdullah, expressing hope for cooperation between the Union government and the newly formed J&K administration. “Congratulations to Omar Abdullah Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre will work closely with him for the progress of J&K,” Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

 

As Omar Abdullah begins his second tenure as J&K’s chief minister, his priorities are clear: maintaining a people-centric approach, pushing for the restoration of statehood, and ensuring inclusive governance. With a diverse cabinet and widespread support, Abdullah’s administration faces the significant challenge of addressing the aspirations of the people while navigating the complexities of governing a Union Territory.