Sakina Itoo, Javed Dar, Javed Rana, Satish Sharma sworn in as Ministers
STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: 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.
The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has appointed Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister of J&K UT. Further, as advised by the Chief Minister, the Lieutenant Governor has appointed Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma as Members of the Council of Ministers.
The Lieutenant Governor administered the Oaths of Office and Secrecy to the above Members of the Council of Ministers at a ceremony held in the SKICC,an official spokesperson said.
While Itoo and Dar are from the Kashmir valley, Rana, Choudhary and Sharma are from the Jammu region. Choudhary will be Deputy Chief Minister.
The Congress said it will not join the council of ministers for the moment.
JKPCC chief Tariq Hameed Karra said the Congress will not join council of ministers in J-K for the moment as it is unhappy that statehood has not been restored.
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.
Omar Abdullah’s family, including his father Farooq Abdullah, mother Molly Abdullah, his two sisters, and two sons were present on the occasion.
Before being sworn in, Omar Abdullah paid obeisance at the Hazratbal shrine and prayed for the peace and prosperity of the Union Territory.
Locals welcomed Omar Abdullah and showered toffees on him.
The NC vice president also interacted with the people.
“JKNC VP & Chief Minister Designate @OmarAbdullah visited the revered Hazratbal Shrine ahead of the oath taking ceremony today. He prayed for the peace & prosperity of Jammu & Kashmir,” the NC said on X.
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.