Team Omar: Who’s who in UT’s maiden Cabinet

Arjun Sharma/Adil Akhzer

As Omar Abdullah made history today after being sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, his new cabinet is a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. From political stalwarts like Surinder Choudhary and Sakeena Masood to independent allies like Satish Sharma, Omar’s team reflects a blend of experience and strategic prowess.

The Tribune takes a look at the newly-inducted ministers in the government- which is first elected government after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

Surinder Choudhary

Surinder Choudhary, 56, who was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister, is a former PDP leader, who defeated BJP’s J&K unit chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera constituency in Rajouri district.

By making Choudhary his deputy, Omar has given representation to the Jammu region in the new government, allaying the fears that Jammu will have no voice in the government after the BJP won 29 seats in the region.

Choudhary defeated Raina, a popular BJP leader, with a margin of 7,819 votes. Interestingly, Choudhary had faced defeated at the hands of Raina in 2014 Assembly polls when the former was a PDP candidate from the constituency. He was made a Member Legislative Council (MLC) by the PDP thereafter.

Choudhary was a close associate of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti till he resigned from the party in 2022 and joined the BJP after he developed differences with Mehbooba. In July 2023, he joined NC after accusing Raina of promoting “corruption”.

Sakeena Masood

She is a senior leader of the National Conference and a prominent face of the party in South Kashmir. She has been elected as an MLA for the third time and has served as a minister previously as well. Sakeena had contested from Kulgam’s Damhal Hanjipora (DH Pora) seat and defeated PDP candidate Gulzar Ahmad Dar by a substantial margin of 17,449 votes in the Assembly election.

Daughter of late NC leader Wali Mohammed Itoo, who was killed by militants in 1994, she has served several ministries during the tenure of the government headed by Abdullahs. She is the lone woman face in the Omar’s cabinet.

Javed Ahmed Rana

Fourth time legislator Javed Ahmed Rana (61) is a prominent face of Gujjar community from Pir Panjal region in Jammu division. NC leader Rana was able to defeat Murtaza Ahmed Khan with a margin of 14,906 votes from the Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved Mendhar constituency in Poonch district. Rana has remained a member of both Legislative Assembly as well as Council in the past. It was due to the Rana that the NC was able to win a majority of seats in the Pir Panjal region and stop the BJP from exerting its influence in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Javaid Dar

A senior leader of National Conference from North Kashmir, Dar won the elections from Rafiabad Assembly constituency after defeating Apni Party’s candidate Yawar Ahmad Mir by a margin of 9,202 votes. Dar, who had previously won 2008 elections as well, has served as a minister previously. By inducting Dar into the government, Omar Abdullah has given representation to north Kashmir.

Satish Sharma

Considered as a ‘giant killer’, Satish Sharma, 42, is the son of late Congress leader and two-time Member of Parliament from Jammu Lok Sabha constituency, Madan Lal Sharma.

Satish is the nephew of Sham Lal Sharma, who is a BJP leader and has won from Jammu North constituency in the recent Assembly polls.

Satish contested as an independent and defeated former deputy chief minister and Congress leader Tara Chand, a three-term MLA, and BJP candidate Rajeev Sharma from Chhamb constituency after Congress denied him ticket. A popular leader from the constituency due to the goodwill of his father, he was able to get 33,985 votes and win with a margin of 6,929 votes.

Sharma extended support to the National Conference (NC) and has become the second Hindu face in the Cabinet. Being from the Brahmin community, the decision to include him as a minister has been hailed by a large section in Jammu.

Leader speak

Centre will work closely with Omar

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Omar Abdullah on being sworn in as the chief minister. In a post on X, Modi said, “Congratulations to Shri Omar Abdullah Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir... The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J&K's progress.”

Will fight together for statehood

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “We are happy that our alliance partner became the chief minister and it is a big success for J&K. Today, democracy has been restored and we will fight together to strengthen it. We will keep fighting till J-K gets back the statehood."

Crown of thorns, may Allah help him

It is a crown of thorns and may Allah help him fulfil the hopes of people, NC president Farooq Abdullah said. “The state is full of challenges and I hope this government will do what it had promised in the election manifesto… May (almighty) Allah help him (Omar) to fulfil people’s hopes,” he said.

Hope govt strengthens peace

J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina congratulated Omar Abdullah on being sworn in as Chief Minister. “I am confident that they will work for the betterment of the people. They will further strengthen the peace and tranquillity achieved by the Modi government over the past ten years,” he said.

Omar should fulfil his agenda

Baramulla MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid said he will extend his support to Omar Abdullah on initiatives that benefit the UT people. “Let us hope he will fulfil his agenda. Let us hope the Modi govt will give full support to Omar because the issues of J&K are much bigger than our personal interests, egos and political agendas,” he said.