'I'm back': Omar Abdullah assumes office as J&K CM

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday took oath and marked his return to office. Taking to social media, Abdullah shared images of him sitting at his desk with the caption, "I'm back".

I’m back. pic.twitter.com/dJ2TFiFRCn

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 16, 2024

Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, making it his second term in the role and the region's first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 . Omar selected Surender Choudhary, hailing from Nowshera in the Jammu region, to serve as the deputy chief minister in the Jammu and Kashmir government saying that he did so to give a voice to people of the region and make his government inclusive.

The swearing-in ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar was attended by prominent leaders from the INDIA bloc , including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Farooq Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti.

The Congress, led by Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra, decided not to join the ministry immediately, citing their ongoing demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. However, Omar Abdullah clarified that cabinet positions remain open for Congress, and discussions between the two parties are ongoing.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Abdullah gave his first orders that there will be no 'green corridor' for him while he moves by road. Taking to X Abdullah said: "I have spoken to the 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."

JKNC secured a victory winning 42 out of the 90 seats, while its allaince partner Congress could win only seven seats during the polls. After the results, four independent MLAs had extended their support to Abdullah, helping him cross the majority mark of 45, needed to form the government. Lone MLA from Aam Aadmi party Mehraj Malik has also extended support to Abdullah.