The Congress did not join the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet headed by National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah on Wednesday. The party will instead back the new government in the Union territory from outside.
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Omar Abdullah on Wednesday took oath as the first chief minister of the Union territory, carved out of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha administered the oaths to the ministers. Surinder Kumar Choudhary was picked as the deputy chief minister.
Why is Congress not joining Omar Abdullah cabinet?
The decision reportedly comes after dismal performance of the Congress, which won only six seats this time compared to 12 in 2014. On the other hand, National Conference bagged 42 seats. The Farooq Abdullah-led party also has support of four Indepndents and the sole AAP MLA.
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The Congress was reportedly offered only one ministerial berth in the government. Following this, the party has decided not to join the government and instead back the ally from outside, according to sources.
Congress top brass attended ceremony
The swearing-in ceremony took place at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar at 11.30 am on Wednesday. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Vadra attended the oath-taking ceremony. Allies, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK MP Kanimozhi, NCP MP Supriya Sule, CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat and CPI leader D. Raja, attended the event. Rival and PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti was also present at the ceremony.