Srinagar: Omar Abdullah, the National Conference (NC) legislative party leader on Friday evening called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and formally staked his claim to form the Government in Jammu & Kashmir the first Post Article 370 Abrogation. Omar presented letters of support from Congress, CPM, AAP, and independent members during the meeting, marking a pivotal moment in Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape.
In a communique LG Sinha’s Office said that Omar Abdullah, Vice President, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan and handed over a letter from the Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah stating that Omar Abdullah has been elected as Leader of the Legislature Party of J&K National Conference. Letters of support from INC, CPI(M), AAP and independent members were also handed over to the Lieutenant Governor. This significant development came just hours after Tariq Karra, the J&K Congress President, formally extended his party’s support to the NC. Talking to reporters after his meeting at Raj Bhavan, Omar said that the swearing-in ceremony of the new government could take place within two to three days. “I met the LG and handed over letters of support from the Congress, CPM, AAP, and independent members. I have requested the LG to set a date for the swearing-in ceremony so that the government can start functioning without delay. The process is long since Jammu and Kashmir is under Central rule, and the documents need to be sent to Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Home Ministry,” he said.
Omar said that they have been informed that this will take around two to three days. If everything is processed in time, we expect the swearing-in ceremony to be held on Wednesday.” Omar Abdullah also addressed concerns regarding the region of Jammu, emphasizing that this government will not ignore the interests of Jammu. “Jammu will not be ignored by this government,” he reassured, recognizing the need to address concerns from the people of the region and counter the political narratives that have created division between Kashmir and Jammu.
Earlier on Friday, the Congress had formally extended its support to the NC for the formation of a new government in Jammu and Kashmir, with Omar Abdullah positioned as the joint Chief Ministerial candidate.
This will be the first government in Jammu & Kashmir since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting, which was held in Srinagar, saw the participation of all six Congress legislators, including J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra.
During the meeting, a resolution was passed and letters of support were signed in favor of the NC, marking the formalization of the alliance. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, JKPCC President Karra expressed that the Congress Legislature Party had unanimously passed a resolution that authorized the central leadership to choose the CLP leader.
He said, “We have extended our support to the NC and have accepted Omar Abdullah as the Chief Ministerial candidate. The alliance’s purpose goes beyond numbers or ministerial posts. Our support for the NC is grounded in a broader purpose of serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He added that the Congress had no specific demands for power or positions and that discussions would take place with the NC regarding the governance model.
“We have no demands. We are supporting the National Conference for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will sit with them formally to discuss what the model of governance will look like. The spirit of this alliance is far beyond just a game of numbers or seeking ministerial posts,” Karra said.
He emphasized that the collaboration between Congress and NC is rooted in a larger vision for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and is not limited to political calculations.
Karra further clarified that the spirit of the alliance with the NC transcends political maneuvering or power-sharing arrangements.
“This alliance is much higher in purpose than simply a number game. Our fight against the BJP is multi-layered and cannot be reduced to discussions about positions or numbers,” he said. Addressing concerns regarding the leadership of the alliance, Karra reiterated that Congress fully supports the decision of the NC to have Omar Abdullah as the leader of the government.
“The choice made by the National Conference regarding its leader of the legislature party is fully acceptable to us,” Karra confirmed. According to the Congress J&K chief, the discussions that will take place between the two parties will also cover issues ranging from a common minimum program to ensuring that commitments made in their election manifesto are honored. The formal support letter from Congress paves the way for the NC to stake its claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir, which will mark the first elected government in the region since the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories.
Earlier Farooq Abdullah emphasized the need for the alliance to win over the hearts of the people of Jammu and counter the “false propaganda” that has been spread in the region. “It is not the fault of the people of Jammu. They have been led to believe that stone-pelting will resume and militancy will rise, without realizing that their lands have been taken, their jobs lost, and much more has disappeared. Despite this, they have fallen for the propaganda. Our goal is to clear this from their hearts,” he said.
Dr Farooq reiterated that the alliance’s priority is to restore peace and work towards the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, so that the government can function effectively.
“We want peace, and we want the Center to restore statehood so the government can work effectively. Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of the country, and if the crown does not shine, the country will not shine either,” he added.
Dr. Farooq also confirmed that there were no disagreements between the NC and its alliance partner, Congress, regarding the government formation process. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also confirmed its support for the NC-led alliance, with AAP candidate Mehraj Malik defeating BJP’s Gajay Singh Rana in Doda.
AAP spokesperson confirmed that the party has formally extended its support to the NC, strengthening the INDIA bloc’s position to form the government. The next few days will be crucial as the NC, along with its alliance partners, prepares to form the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the political upheaval in 2019.
