Surinder Choudhry Sworn in as Deputy CM of Jammu and Kashmir at SKICC, Begins Second Term

Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir today at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. This marks Abdullah’s second term as Chief Minister, following his previous tenure from 2009 to 2015.

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.

Notably, prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and KC Venugopal from Congress, Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party, and CPI (M) leader Prakash Karat were present at the ceremony.

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.