Omar Abdullah to be sworn in as Jammu & Kashmir chief minister on October 16

Omar Abdullah is set to be sworn in as the next chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir on October 16. The oath-taking ceremony will take place at 11:30 am. On Monday (Oct 14), Abdullah, representing the National Conference, shared on X a letter from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inviting him to take the oath on that date.

“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 AM,” the letter stated.

He also extended his best wishes, saying, “I take this opportunity to wish you a highly productive tenure and success in your endeavors in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The LG’s emissary delivered the letter to Abdullah, officially informing him of the ceremony’s details. Abdullah posted on X, “Was pleased to receive the Principal Secretary to LG Manoj Sinha ji. He handed over a letter from the @OfficeOfLGJandK inviting me to form the next government in J&K.”

This will mark Omar Abdullah’s second term as chief minister. His first term, from 2009 to 2014, was during the NC-Congress coalition government.

In recent elections held in three phases, the NC won 42 out of 90 seats, while its coalition partner, Congress, secured six seats. Together, they hold the majority in the 95-member assembly. Additionally, four independent MLAs and one AAP MLA have extended their support to the NC.

(With inputs from agencies)