Omar Abdullah calls On J&K Lt Governor, Stakes Claim To Form Government

National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday at Raj Bhavan, staking claim to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah submitted letters of support from the Congress, CPI-M, AAP, and Independent MLAs, requesting a date for the swearing-in ceremony.

“We have been told it will take 2-3 days for approval from Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Home Ministry,” said Abdullah. He added that if completed by Tuesday, the swearing-in could take place on Wednesday. He reassured that Jammu would not be overlooked in the new government.

Alliance Gains Support from Independents

The NC legislature chose Omar Abdullah as the leader of the legislative party. Abdullah, a former Chief Minister, expressed optimism about the NC-Congress alliance. He dismissed rumors that Jammu was excluded from power-sharing, stating, “The NC-Congress alliance will win the hearts of the people.” He emphasized unity across Jammu and Kashmir to address the region’s challenges.

The alliance also gained support from independent MLAs and the AAP’s lone winner. NC has 42 seats, Congress six, CPI-M one, and seven independents are backing Abdullah. The BJP has 29 seats, PDP three, and AAP one.

Push for Statehood Restoration

Abdullah called for restoring statehood, saying it would empower the government. He acknowledged concerns over limited powers under the Union Territory setup and stressed cooperation from the Centre to resolve issues. “Jammu and Kashmir is the crown of the country, and if the crown doesn’t shine, how will the country shine?”

Also Read: Congress To Back National Conference For Government Formation In Jammu & Kashmir