Omar Abdullah, who became the first chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir after it was downgraded to the status of a union territory, made his way to his office chambers where he was warmly greeted by his staff before formally assuming charge.
Omar Abdullah, Vice President of the National Conference, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) earlier on 16th Oct.2024. Five other ministers also took the oath, including Surinder Choudhary, who has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister. Sakina Itoo, the only woman among the group, secured her seat in the Assembly from the Noorabad constituency in Kulgam, South Kashmir. Others sworn in include Javed Rana from Mendhar in Rajouri, former minister Javed Dar, independent legislator from Chamb in Jammu, and Satish Sharma.
Observers note that by appointing three ministers from Jammu, especially Chaudhary as deputy chief minister, the NC-Congress government under Omar has made efforts to bridge the regional divide between Jammu and Kashmir. The inclusion of these three ministers from Jammu is expected to alleviate the sense of under-representation of Jammu in the government.
The induction of these three ministers underscores the Omar-led NC-Congress government’s commitment to giving Jammu a substantial role in the new government. This is also aimed at the BJP, which has been raising the issue of Kashmir’s hegemony over Jammu.
By ensuring significant representation for Jammu, Omar has addressed concerns of political neglect in the region. This move signals a strategy of inclusivity, reinforcing his government’s commitment to serving both Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar Abdullah is now the leader of Kashmir’s first elected government since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) revoked the region’s special semi-autonomous status in 2019. Jammu and Kashmir is thus directly administered by the Indian federal government in New Delhi.
Abdullah’s JKNC won the most seats in a three-phase election prior to his swearing-in. The JKNC is staunchly opposed to Modi’s move to abrogate Kashmir’s Article 370 of semi autonomy, with the JKNC’s victory seen as backlash against Modi’s decision.
Abdullah praised the officers for their role in ensuring peaceful elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasised the immense faith the people of the region have placed in democracy, the government, and its institutions. “We must rise to the occasion and meet the expectations that have been placed on us,” the chief minister said.
Focusing on governance, the chief minister reiterated the need for a people-first approach, highlighting that the government’s primary role is to serve the citizens and address their concerns.
He acknowledged that a gap has emerged between the people and the government over the years, but expressed his commitment to reduce this distance.
“Our administration’s approach will be people-friendly. We have entered the Civil Secretariat with a positive mindset, focused on delivering the best for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Abdullah emphasised that bridging the gap between citizens and the government is a top priority.
“Democratic governments are preferred all over India for this very reason, and we will work tirelessly to bring people closer to the government and its institutions,” he added.
Abdullah also expressed his willingness to collaborate closely with the officers, pledging his full cooperation and expecting the same in return.
Modi, in a post on X, congratulated Abdullah on becoming chief minister: “Wishing him the very best in his efforts to serve the people.”
The JKNC is allied with the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which is led by India’s largest opposition party, the Indian National Congress.
Rahul Gandhi, a member of the Congress Party who serves as leader of opposition in the Indian parliament’s lower house, or Lok Sabha, was present at Abdullah’s swearing in.
Gandhi extended his congratulations to Abdullah in a post on X. At the same time, he said “government formation without statehood felt incomplete today.”
“Democracy was snatched from the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and today we renew our pledge to continue our fight until statehood is fully restored,” Gandhi said.
Political career of Omar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah comes from a family with a rich legacy in politics. In 1998 Lok Sabha election, his debut, Mr Adbulllah, all of 28, became the youngest member of parliament at the time. He was involved in committees concerning transport and tourism. He was also a part of the Ministry of Tourism’s Consultative Committee. His political career flourished as he was re-elected to the 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 and appointed as the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry on October 13, 1999.
In July 2001, he became the youngest Union Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s NDA government. However, he resigned in December 2002 to focus on party activities.
He faced a setback in the 2002 state assembly elections where he lost his seat in Ganderbal. In March 2006, much to the chagrin of the then central government, Mr Abdullah met with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to discuss the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He became only the second member of his family to visit Pakistan. His grandfather Sheikh Abdullah also visited the neighbouring country in the 1960s.
Chief Minister Of J&K
On January 5, 2009, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the 11th Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, leading a coalition government with the Congress party. He succeeded Ghulam Nabi Azad and became the youngest Chief Minister of the state at age 38.
Post Chief Ministerial Career
After losing the 2014 assembly elections, Omar Abdullah continued to play an active role in politics. He has been a vocal critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government’s policies, particularly regarding Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Abdullah was the last leader of the opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly before the assembly was dissolved in 2018.
Challenges And Controversies
Omar Abdullah faced significant challenges during his tenure.
• Amarnath land row (2008): In 2008, Omar Abdullah threatened to resign as a Member of Parliament due to the excessive use of force by security forces against protesters in Kashmir. His anger stemmed from the government’s handling of the Amarnath land transfer issue and the subsequent economic blockade imposed by protestors in Jammu. Mr Abdullah said at the time that if his concerns were not addressed by the government, he would have no choice but to resign.
• Shopian rape and murder case (2009): Omar Abdullah faced backlash following the rape and murder of two women in Shopian. Initially, he supported the police’s claim that the deaths were accidental drownings, causing public outrage. Although the police later retracted their statement, Mr Abdullah maintained his position, calling for a judicial inquiry while downplaying allegations of foul play. The victims’ families accused security forces of kidnapping, raping and killing the women. The opposition, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), criticised Omar Abdullah for prematurely concluding the investigation.
• Kashmir unrest (2010): The Omar Abdullah government faced criticism for its handling of the unrest, which killed over 100 protesters.
• Hanging of Afzal Guru (2013): On February 9, 2013, Mohammad Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri separatist, was hanged to death at Tihar Jail in New Delhi for his role in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Omar Abdullah, the then Chief Minister, faced the blowback, which came in the form of severe protests and debates.
• Public Safety Act (2020): Omar Abdullah was detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on February 7, 2020, amid the lockdown imposed after the abrogation of Article 370. He was released in March of the same year.
Will Omar 2.0 be able to deliver on his promises at a time when Valley has reposed faith in the National Conference with a massive mandate? This is a query which may or may not be answered in upcoming days. However, what has got cleared is that Omar’s new tenure won’t be a smooth ride for him, considering the two back-to-back orders issued by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration in the past week. Much has changed in J&K in the past five years, and the Omar Abdullah government perhaps must have realised it.