Omar Abdullah Sworn in as J&K Chief Minister

Omar Abdullah is set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first elected government in the region since June 2018, following the recent assembly elections where his National Conference party emerged as the largest. The ceremony will take place at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre and will be attended by prominent leaders from the opposition INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav. Abdullah's cabinet will be limited to nine members under the J&K Reorganization Act, complicating the selection process due to the need for regional and ethnic representation. While some criticism has arisen regarding Abdullah's decision not to demand statehood restoration prior to taking office, he is expected to tackle the challenges of governance after years of central rule. The anticipated oath-taking signifies a significant political shift in Jammu and Kashmir, as local governance returns after a prolonged period of political uncertainty.