Thu Oct 17 09:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Omar Abdullah Sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary Appointed Deputy
Jammu and Kashmir’s newly elected Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, took his oath of office today, marking the return of an elected government to the region after a four-year hiatus.
In a move aimed at fostering inclusivity, Abdullah appointed Surinder Choudhary, a seasoned politician from Jammu, as his deputy. This decision, Abdullah emphasized, was made to ensure the people of Jammu feel represented and heard by the government.
“Our endeavor will be to take everyone along,” Abdullah said, highlighting his commitment to a united and inclusive approach.
Five other ministers, including Sakina Masood, Javed Dar, Javed Rana, Satish Sharma, and the newly appointed deputy chief minister, Surinder Choudhary, also took the oath of office.
Choudhary, known for his political prowess and his win over BJP’s J-K president in the 2014 assembly elections, brings a strong voice from the Jammu region to the government. Abdullah underscored the significance of his appointment, stating, “I have chosen a deputy chief minister from Jammu so that the people of Jammu feel that this government is as much theirs as it is of the rest.”
The formation of this government marks a significant step forward for Jammu and Kashmir, especially given the recent political developments in the region. This is the first elected government since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which saw the state bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The National Conference secured 42 seats in the recent assembly elections, while their alliance partner, the Congress, won six seats. Together, they hold a majority in the 95-member assembly.
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