Omar Abdullah to Take Oath as J&K CM Today in Srinagar, Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav to Attend

Srinagar: Preparations are in full swing as Omar Abdullah is all set to take oath as the first Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir since it became a Union Territory on Wednesday, October 16. Abdullah will be the CM for the second time in the region after his National Conference (NC) emerged victorious in the region's first Assembly election after the abrogation of Article 370.

The ceremony will be held at a venue along the Dal, where J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the chief minister and his ministers the oath of office and secrecy at 11:30 am.

As per reports, the officials said the security has been tightened around the venue of the swearing-in ceremony.

"The security has been beefed up especially as a lot of VVIPs will be attending the event. We will ensure the smooth conduct of the event," the officials added.

In a letter to Abdullah, Lt Guv Sinha said, "I have received a letter of 11th October 2024 from Dr Farooq Abdullah, President, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, wherein it has been informed that you have been unanimously elected as Leader of the Legislature Party."

"I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. As separately settled, I shall administer Oath of Office and Secrecy to you, and to those recommended by you for induction as members of your Council of Ministers, at SKICC, Srinagar on 16th October, 2024 at 11:30 a.m," Sinha said in his letter.

Top Leaders to Attend Abdullah's Oath Ceremony Today:

Ahead of this event, invitations have been sent out to several INDI leaders including Rahul Gandhi , the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav , PDP's Mehbooba Mufti. Some other key invitees include NCP President Sharad Pawar , RJD's Lalu Prasad Yadav , Uddhav Thackeray from Shiv Sena, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and AAP's Arvind Kejriwal .

Candidates Likely to be Inducted in the J&K's Cabinet:

Sakina Itoo:

The National Conference MLA from Damhal Hanjipora, Sakina Itoo is a four-time MLA and a former minister of the region who is likely to find a berth in the Union Territory cabinet. Itoo is also one of the two MLAs who have been elected to the Legislative Assembly as the National Conference candidate.

Hasnain Masoodi:

Former Lok Sabha MP Hasnain Masoodi, who is currently an NC MLA representing the Pampore assembly segment in Pulwama, is also expected to join the UT cabinet.

Javed Rana:

A four-time MLA from Mendhar, Javed Rana is considered a strong candidate for the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet.

Saifullah Mir:

Another likely minister in the NC- Congress government is Saifullah Mir, a four-time MLA from Kupwara.

Surinder Choudhary:

The cabinet may also include National Conference MLA Surinder Choudhary, who defeated BJP UT chief Ravinder Raina in Nowshera. Choudhary and Arjun Singh Raju are the only two Hindu representatives in the NC government.

Ali Mohammed Sagar:

MLA Ali Mohammed Sagar is among the potential candidates for the UT cabinet. A 5-time MLA, Sagar serves as the General Secretary of the NC and is a close associate of both Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah. He represents the Khanyaar Assembly segment in Srinagar.

(Inputs from PTI)