WATCH: Omar Abdullah Sworn in as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at SKICC

Srinagar: Omar Abdullah was officially sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC). His return to the office marks a significant moment in the region’s political landscape, drawing attention from both local and national observers.

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 leader Sanjay Singh, CPI leader D Raja and others are present here.

Abdullah was administered the oath of office by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, with his Council of Ministers also sworn in during the ceremony. Among them was Surinder Choudhry, who was appointed Deputy Chief Minister. Choudhry, who represents the Nowshera constituency, secured his seat by defeating Ravinder Raina, the state president of the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.

The new Cabinet includes four other ministers: Satish Sharma, Sakina Yetoo, Javid Dar, and Javid Rana, who took their oaths alongside Abdullah and Choudhry.

The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including political leaders, government officials, and supporters. Abdullah took the oath of office amidst a backdrop of evolving political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, signaling a renewed focus on governance and development in the region.

Abdullah, who has a political career spanning more than two decades, had previously served as Union Minister of State for External Affairs. His National Conference party, along with its allies, secured 49 seats in the 2024 Legislative Assembly elections, paving the way for his return to power. On October 11, he had met with Lieutenant Governor Sinha to discuss the formation of the new government.

The new Chief Minister is scheduled to hold a meeting with all Administrative Secretaries at the Civil Secretariat at 3 PM today. Sources suggest that the first meeting of the new Cabinet will take place within two days.

In his inaugural address, Abdullah emphasized his commitment to addressing the challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including economic development, security, and fostering unity among communities. He reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure stability and progress in the region.

The event signifies a pivotal moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir, as Abdullah steps back into a leadership role with a mandate to work towards peace and prosperity in the union territory.