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.
ALSO READ: Omar Abdullah becomes first CM of J&K UT; Surinder Choudhary takes oath as Deputy CM
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.
#WATCH | Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir CM-designate Omar Abdullah says, "I came as a grandson just to place flowers on the grave of my grandfather and grandmother. But more importantly, I came to Dargah Sharif Hazratbal just to offer a silent prayer to ask almighty Allah to give me… https://t.co/wJzRLBasnj pic.twitter.com/YYdgSR0UDC
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024
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.
ALSO READ: Who is Surinder Kumar Choudhary? Here is why Omar Abdullah pick Nowshera MLA as J&K Deputy CM
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.
#WATCH | Delhi: On J&K CM Omar Abdullah's oath ceremony, Senior Congress leader Dr Karan Singh says, "It is great that free and fair elections were held without any violence... The people of J&K got the chance to present their political wish... I hope the government formed by… pic.twitter.com/7g5pvWAIhv
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024
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.
