Omar Abdullah to take oath as J&K CM; security beefed up as India Alliance's key leaders likely to attend

The stage is all set for Omar Abdullah to be sworn in as the chief minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, October 16. This marks the return of an elected government to the region after six long years. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to witness several prominent leaders from the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, in attendance.

Sources in the National Conference suggest that among those likely to grace the occasion is Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, who is expected to arrive in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. 

Other notable attendees include Kanimozhi Karunanidhi from the DMK, Supriya Sule from the NCP, and Sukhbir Singh Badal from the Shiromani Akali Dal. 

Also read: President’s Rule revoked in Jammu and Kashmir as Omar Abdullah set to return as CM

The oath-taking ceremony of Omar Abdullah will open a new chapter for Jammu and Kashmir and is being seen as a demonstration of unity among opposition parties ahead of crucial assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. 

The National Conference has extended invitations to key figures such as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, MK Stalin, Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal, and D Raja. 

"It is after 6 years that we are going to have an elected government. The Chief Minister is taking the oath tomorrow and with regard to that we had come to check the seating arrangements as a lot of people want to attend the function tomorrow so we wanted to make sure everything is in order. There is a lot of enthusiasm here also and there will be many guests from the India Alliance, till evening we will have clarity on who is attending and who will be the ministers in the cabinet," said Nasir Aslam Wani, Provincial President, National Conference. 

Watch | Jammu and Kashmir: End Of President's Rule in Union Territory After 6 Years | WION Originals

The NC-Congress alliance won a majority in the recent JK elections with a total of 48 seats out of 90—42 for the NC and six for Congress. Abdullah's election as the leader of the NC legislature party marks his second term as chief minister.

However, this time, he will be governing a Union Territory without the special status that Jammu and Kashmir once held.

As he prepares to take office, Abdullah faces significant challenges, particularly in navigating the balance of power with the Lieutenant Governor, who wields considerable authority in the UT system. 

Delivering on the promises made by the INDIA alliance during the campaign will be paramount as he seeks to address the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The oath-taking ceremony will take place at the SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, where elaborate security and other arrangements are being made.