Omar Abdullah Sworn In as Congress Chooses to Stay Out of J&K Government

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. This marks the first government in the Union Territory since it lost its special status in 2019. Alongside him, eight other National Conference lawmakers will take the oath as ministers today.

Although the Congress allied with the National Conference for the recent elections, it has chosen to support the government from the outside. Despite being offered a ministerial berth, Congress declined the position, signaling a different approach. According to sources, the Congress wants to maintain some distance while still backing the new government.

This political development comes after years of uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir. The revocation of Article 370 in 2019 altered the region’s political structure, leaving it without a formal government for some time. With Omar Abdullah’s return to leadership, the National Conference aims to restore governance and address the challenges ahead.

However, Congress’s decision not to join the government directly raises questions about its future strategy. By staying out of the cabinet, the party may be positioning itself to play a key role in the opposition while still keeping ties with the ruling party. On the other hand, Abdullah’s leadership is expected to focus on building stability in the region, despite the lack of full coalition support.

This government formation highlights the evolving political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, as parties navigate post-Article 370 realities.