Omar Abdullah to take oath as CM today

Stage is set for National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah to take oath as the chief minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday- in the first Assembly elections after the abrogation of the Article 370 in 2019.

Officials privy to the arrangements said all preparations have been made for the oath ceremony of Omar and the council of ministers at Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) on Wednesday morning.

The chief minister and his ministers will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at 11:30 am. Security has been tightened around the venue of the swearing-in ceremony, the officials said.

“The security has been beefed up especially as a lot of VVIPs will be attending the event. We will ensure the smooth conduct of the event,” the officials added.

Sinha on Monday invited the Omar Abdullah to take oath as the J&K chief minister. The invitation came a day after the Centre revoked President’s rule in the Union Territory.

In a letter to Abdullah, Sinha said, “I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. As separately settled, I shall administer Oath of Office and Secrecy to you, and to those recommended by you for induction as members of your Council of Ministers,” Sinha said in his letter.

Abdullah was unanimously elected the leader of the NC Legislature Party on Thursday, setting the stage for his second term as chief minister.

The NC, which had fought the elections in an alliance with the Congress and the CPM, secured 49 seats in the 90-member House. Four Independents and lone Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA have also extended their support, taking the total number of seats to 54.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav reached Srinagar on Tuesday ahead of the swearing-in ceremony event.

Meanwhile, the National Conference is tight lipped about who would be inducted as ministers in the new government. A senior NC leader said the party will maintain a balance between all the regions while giving representation in the new government.

Sources said at least one nominee from NC’s alliance partner Congress will also be inducted in the Omar Abdullah government. After the oath taking ceremony, Omar is likely to chair a meeting of Administrative Secretaries in the afternoon, said sources.

Top leaders to attend event

Several senior leaders are likely to participate in the swearing in ceremony. Among those who are expected to participate include Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, CPM leader Prakash Karat, Lok Sabha MP and DMK representative Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, and SAD MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.