I'm back: Omar Abdullah takes charge as J&K CM

5 ministers take oath, including Dy CM from Jammu region and 1 Independent

- ARCHIS MOHAN

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah took oath as the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, heading the first elected government in the Union Territory since 2019 when its special status was revoked. "I'm back," he posted on X with photographs of him in his office chair.

Congratulating Omar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished him the best and said: "The Centre will work closely with him and his team for J&K's progress."

Abdullah, who had also served as chief minister between 2009 and 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir was a full-fledged state, held an introductory meeting with the administrative secretaries to set the tone for his new administration.

Addressing the media soon after the swearing-in ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar, Omar said: “I had said that we will not allow Jammu to feel they do not have a voice or representatives in this government. I have chosen a deputy chief minister from Jammu so the people of Jammu feel that this government is as much theirs as it is of the rest.”