Omar Abdullah takes over as CM of Jammu and Kashmir. Issues first order to J&K Police

Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first chief minister of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday (Oct 16). Right after taking over as the CM, Abdullah took to social media and said he had spoken to the DGP Jammu Kashmir Police and asked him that there should be no green corridor or traffic stoppage when his (CM's) cavalcade moves in the UT.

''I have spoken to the DG @JmuKmrPolice that there is to be no “green corridor” or traffic stoppage when I move anywhere by road. I have instructed him to minimise public inconvenience & the use of sirens is to be minimal. The use of any stick waving or aggressive gestures is to be totally avoided. I’m asking my cabinet colleagues to follow the same example. In everything our conduct must be people-friendly. We are here to serve the people & not to inconvenience them,'' Abdullah posted on X.

Meanwhile, in a historic ceremony held at the scenic SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake, Omar andfive leaders were administered oath by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, marking a significant political milestone for the region, which has been without an elected government for over six years.

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Joining Abdullah in the new cabinet are Surinder Chowdhary, who will serve as deputy chief minister, along with ministers Sakina Itoo, Satish Sharma, Javaid Dar, and Javaid Rana.

The cabinet appointments reflect a strategic focus on inclusivity, with representation from both Jammu and Kashmir regions. Notably, Chowdhary, Rana, and Sharma hail from Jammu, while Itoo and Dar represent Kashmir. The National Conference-led government has intelligently given representation to every division and community.

''National Conference is a party that has always given equal importance to all the three regions. Those who point fingers should be asked why they don't have LG of Jammu and Kashmir from Jammu. This is for the first time that a deputy CM has been made from the Pir Panjal region. I am very thankful to the top leadership for giving representation to every division. The whole of Jammu and Kashmir has very high hopes from us and there is a gap of ten years, and we will have to do our best to solve the issues of people, '' said Chowdhary.

This momentous occasion comes after the last Assembly elections in 2014, following which the region underwent significant political changes, including the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 by the central government. The National Conference emerged as the single largest party in the recent elections, securing 42 seats with additional support from independent MLAs and the CPI(M).

Omar Abdullah has also given one cabinet berth to a female MLA, Sakina Itoo. She represents the people of south Kashmir.

''The women are facing a lot of issues, and some issues are such that they cannot even express or talk about. We have to work a lot for them and solve the issues of women and men both in the coming time,'' said Itoo.

In a surprising twist, the Congress party decided not to join the ministry in the newly-formed coalition government in J&K.

The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) GA Mir said that the, "Congress party has strongly demanded from the centre to restore statehood to J&K, besides the prime minister has time and again in public meetings promised the same. But the statehood has not been restored to J&K. We are unhappy therefore we are not joining the ministry at the moment."

''Why won't they restore statehood, it's not begging but the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The PM has been saying everywhere from Parliament and outside the parliament, during the campaigning also that statehood would be restored. They have to respect the mandate of the people. As a party, we won't enter the cabinet at this stage,let us wait till PM will respond as he has committed that after the election statehood would be restored. Now there is no issue pending that he will not give us the state, let's wait for the time being and we will discuss it later," said G A Mir, AICC General Secretary.

Watch |Jammu-Kashmir: Omar Abdullah Stakes Claim To Form New Government

The ceremony was attended by prominent leaders from the INDIA bloc, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, AICC Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, D Raja. Their presence underscored the importance of this political transition in Jammu and Kashmir.

''I have come to Srinagar to convey my party, the Communist party's good wishes to Omar Abdullah. It's going to be a good beginning for the Jammu and Kashmir region. India Bloc has got the majority, and a new government is formed. Statehood would be the priority for Omar Abdullah and how to ensure the rights of the people. Jammu and Kashmir results will have an impact on Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections as well," said D Raja, leader of CPI(M).

However, political analysts suggest that the concerns over the political standing of the National Conference on Article 370 have kept Congress away from joining the government. It is believed that Congress wanted to keep itself away from any controversy in view of the upcoming assembly polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

''Right now, we are part of the government, and we have given support to the government. All the congress legislators have given support, and it was a decision taken by high command. If we are not ministers in the cabinet that does not mean we are not part of the government,'' said Irfan Hafeez Lone, MLA, Congress Party.

As Omar Abdullah takes on the responsibilities of chief minister, all eyes will be on his administration to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.