Omar meets LG, stakes claim to form govt; says swearing-in ceremony likely in 2-3 days

Srinagar, Oct 11: National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Friday evening met LG Manoj Sinha to stake claim for the government formation in Jammu and Kashmir.

While talking to journalist after meeting the LG, Omar said that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take 2-3 days.

"I met the LG and handed over letters of support that I have received from the Congress, CPM, AAP and independents. I requested him to fix a date for the swearing-in ceremony so that the government can start functioning,” he told media-persons.

Abdullah said that it will be a long process as J&K is under Centre rule.

“The LG will first send the documents to Rashtrapati Bhawan and then to Home Ministry. We have been told it will take 2-3 days. So if it happens before Tuesday, we will have the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday...,” he said.

Abdullah also said that “Jammu will not be ignored in this government."

Abdullah was unanimously elected as the leader of the NC legislature party on Thursday, paving the way for his second term as the chief minister of J-K.

His first tenure as the chief minister was also as the head of the NC-Congress coalition government from 2009 to 2014.

The NC won 42 of the 90 seats for which elections were held in three phases with the alliance partner Congress bagging six seats. Although the two parties have a majority in the 95-member House, four Independents and the lone AAP MLA have also extended their support to the NC.

Earlier in the day, the six Congress MLAs met here and authorised the party high command in New Delhi to nominate the leader of its legislature party.

After the meeting, JKPCC president Tariq Karra said the CLP meeting unanimously decided to give the right to the central leadership to take the call on the legislature party leader.

Asked whether any leaders from the INDIA bloc would be invited for the swearing-in ceremony, Abdullah said NC president Farooq Abdullah will see to that.

"He (Farooq Abdullah) is the leader of the INDIA bloc and invitations, if any, will be sent in his name. Those whom I have to invite, I will send them invitations tomorrow," the junior Abdullah added.

To a question about any demands of ministerial berths by his alliance partner, the NC leader said such discussions take place as the parties were forming the government together.

"We have received their letter of support... we have held internal discussions," he said.

Responding to a question about Independent candidates offering support to the NC for the government formation, the chief minister-designate said only those people who were a part of the party before were supporting.

"Except a few, these are the same people who could not get a mandate because of the alliance and contested the polls independently... We welcome their support. They have received the votes of the people because people expect them to do their work and now, it is my duty to hold their hands," he said. (With PTI inputs)