Srinagar,12-10-2024: Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah addressed the media on Saturday, shedding light on the reasons behind the delay in the swearing-in ceremony for the new government in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah explained that the hold-up is primarily due to the necessity of adhering to established procedures for revoking the President’s Rule in the Union Territory, which has been in effect for the past six years.
“There is a procedural framework in place,” Abdullah stated. “To end the President’s Rule, a Cabinet note must be drafted and sent to Rashtrapati Bhavan, which subsequently goes to the Home Ministry for further action.” He further elaborated that the recent Dussehra holidays contributed to the delay, adding, “With today being Dussehra and tomorrow being Sunday, we hope that if all necessary procedures are completed by Monday, we can prepare for the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday and, if all goes well, take the oath on Wednesday.”
Abdullah made these remarks after attending a Legends League Cricket match in Srinagar. When questioned about the delay in government formation in an era dominated by technological advancements, Abdullah humorously pointed out that technology should not be a hindrance to political processes. “We once attempted to form a government using a fax machine, but unfortunately, it malfunctioned,” he recalled, referring to the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, and Congress’s efforts to stake their claim in 2018. “If forming our government relies on a fax machine, we are in trouble. Please leave the technology at your office; we will proceed in our own way.”
Additionally, Abdullah expressed his enthusiasm for promoting sports in Jammu and Kashmir. He noted the excitement of watching cricket matches under the lights and emphasized the importance of upgrading the region’s sports infrastructure. “We aspire to host major cricket events, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), here in Jammu and Kashmir. To make this a reality, we must enhance our cricket stadium facilities and then approach the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to organize matches in the region,” he concluded.