Omar signals people-centric governance after oath

New Delhi, Oct 16: In a move that quickly caught the public's attention, newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, took to Twitter, his first message on X after taking over as the Chief Minister on Wednesday, shortly after his oath-taking ceremony to signal a new era of governance.

“I have spoken to the (Director General of J&K Police) 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.”

Omar’s tweet, aimed at easing one of the public’s long-standing grievances, marks his administration’s first step in adopting a people-centric approach.

How these orders are practically implemented will remain a question with the observers and the residents even though this move, modest, is loaded with implications. It seeks to bridge the gap between the governing class and the common people - a gap that has widened over decades of political uncertainty and administrative aloofness in Jammu and Kashmir.

By leading with understanding and ensuring that public life is minimally disrupted, Omar Abdullah is making a statement about his leadership style: governance with a human touch, where the well-being of the public takes precedence over pomp and ceremony.

Beyond this symbolic act, the newly minted chief minister has already begun to tackle larger issues.

Hours after taking office, Abdullah convened a meeting with his administrative secretaries, signalling his intent to inject momentum into a bureaucracy often criticised for its sluggishness.

He also moved to form an inclusive government, with his cabinet including two ministers from Jammu including the Deputy Chief Minister, a region where his party has traditionally struggled. This inclusivity hints at a broader strategy aimed at balancing the interests of a politically and geographically diverse state.

Yet, despite the ceremonial fanfare, Omar’s challenges are formidable. Chief among them is when the union territory of J&K will have the status of a State. While Abdullah has repeatedly committed to pursuing the restoration of full statehood, the current structure of the Union Territory complicates his authority, as power is shared with the Lieutenant Governor. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a recent interview, expressed his willingness to cooperate, but the balance of power will require careful management.

With winter approaching and a narrow window to act on pressing issues, Omar’s early steps, though promising, are just the beginning. The real test will lie in his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, restore public trust, and steer the region towards stability and development. Nonetheless, his first few decisions reflect a clear intent to break from the past and lead with a people-first approach — a significant shift that has already struck a chord with the public but what matters is the result.