Omar to take oath as CM on Wednesday

Srinagar, Oct 14: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday formally invited Omar Abdullah, Leader of the Legislature Party of the National Conference (NC), to form the new government in Jammu and Kashmir.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Wednesday. The move comes after Omar received letters of support from key political leaders and parties, marking a major step in the post-election power dynamics in J&K.

Omar on Monday evening posted a letter on X sent by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inviting him to take oath on October 16.

The invitation follows letters of support from NC President Farooq Abdullah and other political figures including Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Tariq Hameed Karra, Ghulam Nabi Malik of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), National Secretary of the Aam Aadmi Party, Pankaj Kumar Gupta, and independent MLAs Payare Lal Sharma, Satish Sharma, Chaudhary Muhammad Akram, Rameshwar Singh, and Muzafar Iqbal Khan.

The letter, issued from Raj Bhavan on October 11, 2024, reads, “I have received a letter from Farooq Abdullah, wherein it has been informed that you (Omar Abdullah) have been unanimously elected as Leader of the Legislature Party. I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Jammu and Kashmir government.”

This coalition, a broad alliance of the NC, Congress, CPI (M), AAP, and independent MLAs demonstrates a significant unity among the opposition forces in the recently concluded Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

The much-anticipated oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for October 16, 2024, at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.

Top officials of the LG’s administration reviewed the arrangements for hosting the historic oath ceremony scheduled at 11.30 am on Wednesday in the auditorium of SKICC, which has been given a festive look along with the picturesque back lawns overlooking the famed Dal Lake.

The main function will be held in the SKICC auditorium which will be followed by high tea in the back lawns of SKICC.

The SKICC is being prepared with flowers and other arrangements to give it a festive look.

This will be the first democratically-elected government of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory and will be attended by a large number of party members and other elected members from different political parties.

The ceremony will include the administration of the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Omar Abdullah, along with the induction of members into his Council of Ministers, representing the coalition parties.

The Lieutenant Governor expressed his best wishes to Abdullah for a “highly productive tenure and success in [his] endeavours in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

This will be Abdullah’s second tenure as Chief Minister, following his previous term from 2009 to 2015.

His re-election, backed by a formidable coalition, sets the stage for a renewed focus on governance and development in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ceremony on October 16 is expected to be attended by senior leaders, dignitaries, and officials from across J&K.

On Friday evening, Omar Abdullah met LG Sinha to stake a claim for the government formation in J&K.

After meeting the LG, Omar said that the swearing-in ceremony is likely to take 2 to 3 days.