Jammu & Kashmir finally gets new CM as Omar Abdullah is sworn-in with INDIA bloc leaders in attendance

 The new chief minister prays by the Dal Lake, offers 'Fatiha khawani', says he is optimistic about regaining statehood

Omar Abdullah offers prayers at the Hazratbal Shrine ahead of the swearing-in-ceremony of J&K new government, in Srinagar. PTI

TT & PTI, Srinagar, 16.10.24 :  National Conference leader Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, the first elected government in the union territory since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Abdullah, who takes over as chief minister for a second term and is the third generation of the Abdullah family to occupy the office -- after his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah and father Farooq Abdullah.

INDIA Bloc leaders attended the event in full strength. Among those who had gathered at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) were Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Left leaders Prakash Karat and D Raja, DMK's Kanimozhi and NCP's Supriya Sule. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also attended the event.

Abdullah's first term as chief minister was from 2009 to 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir was a full-fledged state.

INDIA Block leaders, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and J&K CM Omar Abdullah before the swearing-in ceremony of J&K government, in Srinagar. PTI

The National Conference won 42 out of the 90 seats in the recent elections while alliance partner Congress bagged six. Together, the two pre-poll allies hold a majority in the 95-member assembly -- five members are to be nominated by the LG.

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav with National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and J&K CM Omar Abdullah before the swearing-in ceremony of J&K government, in Srinagar. PTI

The chief minister paid obeisance at the Hazratbal shrine ahead of his swearing-in, and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the union territory.

The shrine houses the holy relic of Prophet Mohammad, on the banks of the famous Dal Lake.

Earlier in the day, Abdullah visited the mausoleum of his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah and grandmother nearby the shrine, and offered 'Fatiha khawani' (special prayers) there ahead of the swearing-in-ceremony.

Omar Abdullah offers Fatiha Khawani at Mazarat-e-Anwar of Sher-e-Kashmir and Madar-e-Meharban at Qaid Mazar, Naseem Bagh, Srinagar ahead of Swearing-in-ceremony. PTI

"Omar Abdullah offered prayers at his grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's mausoleum in Hazratbal, ahead of his swearing ceremony as the first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory," the National Conference said.

Dressed in a Pathani suit and coat, the 54-year-old Abdullah offered floral tributes at the graveyard of the party founder.

Omar Abdullah offers Fatiha Khawani at Mazarat-e-Anwar of Sher-e-Kashmir and Madar-e-Meharban at Qaid Mazar, Naseem Bagh, Srinagar . PTI

Omar Abdullah on Wednesday expressed optimism that Jammu and Kashmir will not remain a Union territory for a long time and regain full statehood soon. Hours before taking oath of office, the National Conference leader told PTI Videos that all ministerial vacancies would not be filled at once but will be filled going ahead as “we are in talks with Congress and also from within my own team.”

Srinagar locals greet Omar Abdullah with toffees during his visit to the Hazratbal Shrine ahead of the swearing-in-ceremony of J&K new government. PTI

On former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressing his willingness to share his experience with him on governing a ‘half-state’ like Delhi, Abdullah said, “I have a lot of lessons to learn. I learnt a lot of lessons in six years, made some mistakes and intend not to repeat those mistakes again because it is only a fool who keeps repeating the same mistakes again and again".

CM-designate Omar Abdullah takes oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, being administered by Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, in Srinagar, Wednesday, Oct 16, 2024. PTI

"Obviously, there is a lot of nervousness but I have enormous faith in the almighty and he will show the way and I will do the best that I can," he added.