Omar Abdullah becomes first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir UT

Abdullah, who took oath as the Chief Minister this morning, will head the first UT government since special status was withdrawn by the Modi government at the Centre in a historic step on August 5, 2019.

On the same date, the Centre bifurcated the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

In its historic elections in September-October, NC-Congress alliance won 48 seats (42 of NC and 6 of Congress) with majority of them yielded from the Kashmir valley while the Bharatiya Janata Party swept the Jammu region winning 29 seats.

Even before the government started working, cracks emerged in the ruling coalition as the Congress - which sources said also declined the offer of one ministerial berth in the incoming government - will offer support from the outside instead, NDTV reported.

Abdullah said his party NC is "in talks" with the Congress on the issue.

According to a CNN-News18 report, while the Congress party has been demanding three cabinet berths,  the NC has offered only one to the party, along with the possibility of a deputy speaker position.

CNN-News18 quoted leaders of the Congress party saying they would not be a part of the Jammu and Kashmir government if the National Conference remains adamant.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in in Jammu and Kashmir. Photo courtesy: INC X

However, top Congress leaders like party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the party's General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra - were present at the swearing-in.

INDIA bloc leaders, Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Sanjay Singh of Aam Aadmi Party, D Raja of CPI, Kanimozhi of DMK, Supriya Sule of Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) were also present.

According to reports, Omar Abdullah might lead a government with good relations with the BJP-led central government.

Omar Abdullah's remarks since his party emerged as the single-largest in the Assembly elections have reflected a tone of cooperation, particularly with the Narendra Modi-led central government.

The election results showed a clear divide: the NC won the Valley, while the BJP dominated the Jammu plains, where the Congress managed only one seat.

"We are happy that someone from our alliance has become CM. Democracy has been established here after a long time. This is an opportunity to keep democracy alive and run the government as per the Constitution. We will ensure statehood for Jammu and Kashmir," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Omar Abdullah recognizes the importance of coordination with the Centre, given that Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory where the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) and the Centre have significant influence over daily governance.

"We need to have coordination with the Centre. As many issues of J&K can't be resolved by fighting with the Centre," Abdullah said after the results were announced.

He further emphasized the need for smooth relations with both the L-G and the Union government: "I will make every effort to ensure that the incoming government works for smooth relations both with the LG and the Union government."

Omar also noted that the NC would likely have performed well even without the alliance with the Congress. "The alliance with the Congress wasn't about seats for us. We would have won the seats without the Congress, except probably one of them," he told India Today TV.

INDIA bloc leaders at Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in ceremony in Srinagar. Photo courtesy: National Conference FB

One of the new government’s priorities will be the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

Abdullah expressed optimism about working with the Centre to achieve this goal, citing promises made by the Prime Minister and Home Minister during the campaign.

"In that respect, I believe the PM is an honourable man. He has promised the people while campaigning here that statehood will be restored. The honourable home minister did the same," Abdullah added.

The Central government has indicated that statehood will be restored when the time is right, but Omar Abdullah has also signalled that there will be no immediate confrontation on the issue of Article 370, which was revoked when Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its special status.

"Our political stance has never changed. It is foolish to expect the restoration of Article 370 from the BJP. We will keep the issue alive," he said, adding, "We will continue to bat for the restoration of Article 370 when the time is right."

The NC and BJP were partners in the past, with Omar Abdullah serving as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government from 1999 to 2002.