National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Wednesday was sworn in as the chief minister of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, after guiding his party to a massive victory in the September-October elections.
The 54-year-old leader’s party won 42 seats in the 90-member assembly and has the support of four Independents and one Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator.
Abdullah, who took oath as the Chief Minister this morning, will head the first UT government since special status was withdrawn by the Modi government at the Centre in a historic step on August 5, 2019.
On the same date, the Centre bifurcated the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In its historic elections in September-October, NC-Congress alliance won 48 seats (42 of NC and 6 of Congress) with majority of them yielded from the Kashmir valley while the Bharatiya Janata Party swept the Jammu region winning 29 seats.
Even before the government started working, cracks emerged in the ruling coalition as the Congress – which sources said also declined the offer of one ministerial berth in the incoming government – will offer support from the outside instead, NDTV reported.
Abdullah said his party NC is “in talks” with the Congress on the issue.
The Congress party has been demanding three cabinet berths, the NC has offered only one to the party, along with the possibility of a deputy speaker position.
Leaders of the Congress party saying they would not be a part of the Jammu and Kashmir government if the National Conference remains adamant.
