Srinagar, Oct 16, KNT: Omar Abdullah took oath as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, marking the first elected government in the Union Territory since 2018.
The National Conference vice president was administered the oath of office by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, alongside five council members.
The new Council of Ministers include Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.
In his first decision as Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah emphasized public convenience over protocol, directing the Director General of Police to minimize traffic stoppages and avoid aggressive gestures. He urged his cabinet colleagues to follow suit, prioritizing people-friendly conduct.
“ I have spoken to the DG Jammu Kashmir DGP that there is to be no “green corridor” or traffic stoppage when I move anywhere by road. I have instructed him to minimize public inconvenience & the use of sirens is to be minimal. The use of any stick waving or aggressive gestures is to be totally avoided. I’m asking my cabinet colleagues to follow the same example. In everything our conduct must be people-friendly. We are here to serve the people & not to inconvenience them,” Omar Abdullah wrote on X.
Pertinently, the National Conference-Congress alliance won 48 seats in the assembly elections, with the BJP increasing its representation to 29 seats. The Congress, however, decided to sit out of the government until statehood is restored for Jammu and Kashmir. [KNT]
