Omar Abdullah has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the Union Territory's first government since the revocation of its special status in 2019. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath to Abdullah and eight other lawmakers from his National Conference party.

Despite forming an alliance with the National Conference, the Congress, which performed poorly in the elections, opted to stay out of the government. According to sources, Congress was offered one ministerial position but declined, choosing instead to extend outside support.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent leaders of the INDIA alliance, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's Kanimozhi, NCP's Supriya Sule, CPI's D Raja, and AAP's Sanjay Singh. Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the Peoples Democratic Party and a former chief minister, was also present at the event.

Omar Abdullah, now the first elected leader of Jammu and Kashmir in a decade, expressed his hope that the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir would be temporary. After offering prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, he said, "We look forward to working with the Government of India to resolve the people's problems, and the best way to do that would be to start by restoring statehood to J-K."

Abdullah's swearing-in marks a significant political development for the region, with hopes of renewed focus on governance and resolving longstanding issues. The restoration of statehood remains a key demand of local leaders, who seek greater autonomy for the region.

Omar Abdullah has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the Union Territory's first government since the revocation of its special status in 2019. The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath to Abdullah and eight other lawmakers from his National Conference party.

Despite forming an alliance with the National Conference, the Congress, which performed poorly in the elections, opted to stay out of the government. According to sources, Congress was offered one ministerial position but declined, choosing instead to extend outside support.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent leaders of the INDIA alliance, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's Kanimozhi, NCP's Supriya Sule, CPI's D Raja, and AAP's Sanjay Singh. Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the Peoples Democratic Party and a former chief minister, was also present at the event.

Omar Abdullah, now the first elected leader of Jammu and Kashmir in a decade, expressed his hope that the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir would be temporary. After offering prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, he said, "We look forward to working with the Government of India to resolve the people's problems, and the best way to do that would be to start by restoring statehood to J-K."

Abdullah's swearing-in marks a significant political development for the region, with hopes of renewed focus on governance and resolving longstanding issues. The restoration of statehood remains a key demand of local leaders, who seek greater autonomy for the region.