SRINAGAR: All arrangements have been put in place with security being tightened in and around the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar ahead of tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony of Omar Abdullah as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Omar, along with his Council of Ministers, will be administered the oath of office by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at 11:30 a.m. on October 16 tomorrow. The Lieutenant Governor extended an official invitation to Omar Abdullah yesterday, marking a pivotal moment for the Union Territory as Jammu and Kashmir prepares to have an elected government for the first time in over a decade. A letter from the Raj Bhawan read, “I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. As separately settled, I shall administer the oath of office and secrecy to you, and to those recommended by you for induction as members of your Council of Ministers, at SKICC, Srinagar on 16th October, 2024 at 11:30 a.m.” A senior security official said that given the high-profile nature of the event and the presence of the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, comprehensive security protocols are being put in place to ensure the smooth functioning of the ceremony. The last time an assembly election was held in the erstwhile state was in 2014, leading to a People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition government. However, that government collapsed in June 2018, and Jammu and Kashmir was placed under President’s rule. In 2019, the region was bifurcated into two Union Territories-Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh after the abrogation of Article 370, stripping the region of its special status. Senior NC leader Nasir Aslam Wani, said that large number of people want to attend the oath taking ceremony. “We have reviewed the preparations. Everything will be clear by evening who will come to attend the oath taking ceremony,” Wani said, when asked if Rahul Gandhi has been invited to attend the oath taking ceremony. Omar Abdullah, who had staked a claim for government formation last week, met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday and presented letters of support. President Draupadi Murmu issued a notification ending President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir, clearing the way for the new government to take charge. The recent three-phase election concluded with the National Conference-Congress alliance securing 48 out of the 90 seats, with Omar Abdullah’s National Conference taking the lead. The Congress secured six seats, while the BJP dominated in the Jammu region, winning 29 seats. Tomorrow’s oath-taking ceremony will be a symbolic event as Jammu and Kashmir transitions from nearly six years of central rule to an elected government, with Omar Abdullah at the helm as Chief Minister.
