Sant Kumar Sharma
After a long spell of central rule and the abrogation of the Article 370, the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday got its first elected government when National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah was sworn in as new Chief Minister.
Amid tight security arrangements, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Omar marking his second stint as CM. Omar was the CM of Jammu and Kashmir between 2009 and 2015.
Surinder Choudhary of NC, who defeated state BJP chief Ravinder Raina from Nowshera, was appointed deputy chief minister. Besides, four others who took oath include Javed Rana from Mendhar, Javid Ahmad Dar from Rafiabad, Sakina Itoo from Noorabad and Satish Sharma, Independent MLA from Chhamb.
Sharma was a rebel candidate who had revolted against Congress leadership after being denied mandate. He had defeated former deputy chief minister Tara Chand who was considered close to Sharma’s late father, Madan Lal Sharma.
Earlier, NC had elected Omar as its legislature party leader paving the way for his assuming the charge of the CM.
In the 90-member Legislative Assembly, the NC had won from 42 seats, with Omar winning from both Ganderbal and Budgam constituencies.
Besides the NC members, the Omar government enjoys the support of six Congress MLAs and one CPM member Yusuf Tarigami. Four Independents elected from the Jammu region, who were rebel candidates of the NC and the Congress, have already pledged support to Omar. This effectively takes the number on the Treasury Benches to 53, a comfortable majority.
On the other hand, the BJP with 29 members is all set to play the role of a strong opposition.
Despite having a pre-poll electoral tie-up with NC, no Congress MLA joined the Omar cabinet. Speaking about the development, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ghulam Ahmed Mir said no party MLA will assume ministerial responsibility till statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir. Mir stressed that this position is non-negotiable and reflects the party’s commitment to the rights of the people. He refuted rumours suggesting that there was any discord between the NC and the Congress.
Several important dignitaries, high profile political leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, attended the ceremony, which marks the return of the elected government after a long spell of central rule. The swearing in ceremony was held on the banks of Dal lake at the Sher-I-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC).
In 2019, the Modi government had abrogated the Article 370 and the bifurcated the state into two Union Territories (UTs).
The elections to the state assembly were held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1.
Let us hope for the best now in Kashmir valley. Common people wanted original residents of J&K should be elected. That is done now.
Now Omar Abdullah government should show their capabilities to maintain law and order in the valley.
he should be very careful