Omar Abdullah Sworn In as J&K's First UT Chief Minister

Omar Abdullah was sworn in as J&K's first Union Territory Chief Minister after winning the first Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370's repeal. The National Conference party secured 48 out of 90 seats, with Abdullah as the leader of the NC Legislature Party.

Election Results and Government Formation

National Conference (NC) party won the first Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir since the repeal of Article 370
NC-Congress alliance secured 48 out of 90 Assembly seats
National Conference emerged as the single largest party with 42 seats, Congress won 6 seats
Omar Abdullah unanimously elected as leader of the NC Legislature Party
Congress opted out of joining the cabinet, citing demand for restoration of statehood

Swearing-in Ceremony Details

Held at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office
Ceremony took place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Five MLAs sworn in as ministers: Satish Sharma (Independent), Sakina Itoo, Javid Dar, Sunrinder Chowdhury, and Javid Rana (all from NC)
Four Cabinet posts remain vacant for future expansion
Surinder Singh Choudhary appointed as Deputy Chief Minister, representing Jammu region

Political Significance and Attendees

First elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370
Omar Abdullah becomes the first Chief Minister of J&K as a Union Territory
This marks Omar Abdullah's second term as Chief Minister (previous term: 2009-2014)

Notable attendees from the INDIA alliance:

- Congress leaders: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav
- Left leaders: Prakash Karat and D Raja
- DMK's Kanimozhi
- NCP's Supriya Sule
- PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti
Omar Abdullah paid tributes at his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah's mausoleum before the ceremony

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