Srinagar, Oct 16 (KNO): National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah took the oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Wednesday, after the revocation of the region’s statehood and its division into two separate UTs in 2019.
With this political success, Omar marks a return to leadership after a break, having previously served as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2014, when Jammu and Kashmir was still a state.
In his new cabinet, Omar, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) selected a blend of politicians and newcomers, with representation from both Kashmir and Jammu regions.
The following leaders were sworn in alongside him in the new alliance government:
Surinder Kumar Choudhary – Deputy Chief Minister
Surinder Kumar Choudhary, representing the Nowshera constituency in the Jammu region was appointed as Deputy Chief Minister. He won against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) candidate Ravinder Raina, also the BJP’s J&K head, by a margin of 7,819 votes. Choudhary received 35,069 votes compared to Raina’s 27,250.
From Nowshera assembly constituency, a total of 8 nominations were filed, of which only 5 were contesting, while 3 were rejected.
Javid Ahmad Dar – Cabinet Minister
Javid Ahmad Dar, representing the Rafiabad constituency in north Kashmir, was sworn in as a cabinet minister. He secured his seat with 28,783 votes, followed by Yawar Ahmad Mir from the Apni Party, who garnered 19,581 votes.
In the Rafiabad assembly constituency, 14 nominations were submitted, with 12 candidates contesting and 2 being rejected.
Sakina Itoo – Cabinet Minister
Itoo, a senior leader of the NC from Damhal-Hanjipora in south Kashmir's Kulgam district also took the oath as a cabinet minister. She won her seat, securing 36,623 votes and defeating her closest competitor, Gulzar Ahmed Dar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by a margin of 17,449 votes.
In the D-H Pora assembly constituency, all 6 nominations were contested.
Javed Ahmed Rana – Cabinet Minister
Javed Ahmad Rana, representing the Mendhar constituency in Poonch district was sworn in as a cabinet minister as well. His victory in the Mendhar (Scheduled Tribe) constituency has strengthened the NC's presence in the Jammu region, particularly among tribal communities.
Rana achieved a vote share of 32,176, defeating BJP’s Murtuza Ahmad Khan, who received only 17,270 votes. In the Mendhar (ST) assembly constituency, 11 nominations were filed, with 9 candidates contesting and 2 withdrawing.
Satish Sharma – Cabinet Minister
Satish Sharma, an independent candidate from the Chhamb constituency was also inducted into the cabinet led by Omar Abdullah. The son of former Member of Parliament Madan Lal Sharma left the Congress party due to a dispute over ticket distribution and ran as an independent.
His strategy paid off, as he defeated BJP’s Rajeev Sharma by a margin of 6,929 votes, while Congress’s Tara Chand came in third. Satish Sharma’s role as the only independent MLA from Jammu in the cabinet underscores the significance of independent support in stabilizing Omar Abdullah’s government.
From the Chhamb assembly constituency, a total of 12 nominations were filed, of which only 8 were contesting, while 3 were rejected.
Congress decides against joining ministry
Political analysts say the Congress party was instrumental in helping the Omar Abdullah-led government secure a majority by winning six seats. Yet the party has chosen not to join the ministry.
The Congress said it will continue to support its alliance partner, allowing the National Conference to govern independently.
Observers and political experts suggest that with a cabinet that reflects both Kashmir and Jammu, the Omar Abdullah-led government is embarking on an important journey to lead the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)