Wed Oct 09 16:18:02 UTC 2024: **Summary of News Article on Omar Abdullah’s Political Journey:**

1. **Return to Power:** Omar Abdullah, previously the youngest Chief Minister of India, is set to assume power again after his party, the Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), won the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024. This election marks the first in the Union Territory since Article 370 was revoked in 2019.

2. **Political Legacy:** Abdullah comes from a prominent political family; his grandfather, Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, founded the National Conference in 1939.

3. **Political Milestones:**
– **1998:** Omar began his political career at 28, becoming the youngest elected MP from Lal Chowk.
– **1999-2001:** Served as Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, then for External Affairs under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
– **2002:** Suffered a defeat in the Ganderbal constituency, a traditional NC stronghold.
– **2008:** Returned to prominence, winning from Ganderbal and leading NC to 28 seats in alliance with Congress.
– **2009:** Sworn in as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at age 38, becoming one of the youngest to hold that position.

4. **Difficult Periods:**
– **2014:** Won the Beerwah assembly seat, but the NC lost the elections to the PDP-BJP alliance.
– **2019:** Both he and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti were placed under house arrest ahead of Article 370’s abrogation.
– **2020:** Released after seven months in detention and involved in the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, which won the District Development Council elections later that year.

5. **Recent Elections:** In September-October 2024, despite previous reluctance to contest, Omar won his seat from Ganderbal, with the NC-Congress alliance securing a total of 49 seats. His father, Farooq Abdullah, announced him as the Chief Minister for the second time.

This article details Omar Abdullah’s significant political journey, highlighting his achievements, challenges, and return to leadership in Jammu and Kashmir.

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