SRINAGAR, Oct 16: Omar Abdullah was officially sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, marking a historic moment for the region post the abrogation of Article 370. The oath ceremony, conducted by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, took place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). This marks Abdullah’s return to the top post, having previously served as the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state from 2008 to 2014.
In a conversation with media prior to the swearing-in, Abdullah expressed optimism about the early restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, a promise he insisted the central government had made. “Our status as a Union Territory is a temporary one. We have commitments from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister that statehood will be restored, and we sincerely hope this happens soon,” he stated. He described the Union Territory status as unfortunate and emphasized that his government would work to ensure the return of full statehood at the earliest.
Discussing his plans, Abdullah noted that not all ministerial vacancies would be filled immediately, indicating that discussions with the Congress and internal deliberations within his party, the National Conference (NC), were ongoing. He highlighted the need for a phased approach, stating, “We are in talks with the Congress and also assessing the talent within my own team.”
Addressing comments made by former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who offered to share his experience in governing a ‘half-state’ like Delhi, Abdullah acknowledged the need for continuous learning. “I have learned many lessons from my previous term, and while I am optimistic, I am not a fool to repeat past mistakes. Every day is an opportunity to learn, and I’m open to drawing from the experiences of others,” he remarked.
Abdullah reiterated his commitment to working for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, stressing that his government has a responsibility to address their concerns. “We have the mandate from the people, and our aim is to resolve their problems from day one,” he said. While he admitted to feeling nervous about the challenges ahead, he maintained that he is generally a positive person and expressed confidence in his ability to navigate these issues. “I have enormous faith in the almighty and believe that everything will fall into place. I will do the best I can,” he added.
The ceremony also saw the appointment of key figures to the Cabinet, underscoring the beginning of a new chapter in the region’s governance.