Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has formally invited National Conference leader Omar Abdullah to take the oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on October 16. The invitation follows the Centre’s revocation of President’s rule in the region, marking a significant political transition.
In a letter addressed to Abdullah, Sinha wrote, “I have received a letter dated 11th October 2024 from Dr Farooq Abdullah, President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, informing me that you have been unanimously elected as the Leader of the Legislature Party.”
Sinha also noted that he had received letters of support for Abdullah from several political figures, including Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra, CPI(M) Secretary G N Malik, AAP National Secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta and independent MLAs-elect Payare Lal Sharma, Satish Sharma, Mohammad Akram, Rameshwar Singh and Muzafar Iqbal Khan.
“I am pleased to invite you to form and lead the Government of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha wrote, further detailing the upcoming swearing-in ceremony. “As previously arranged, I shall administer the Oath of Office and Secrecy to you, and those recommended by you for induction into your Council of Ministers, at SKICC, Srinagar on 16th October 2024 at 11:30 a.m.”
Sinha extended his best wishes for Abdullah’s tenure, expressing hope for a “highly productive” term in the interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah acknowledged the invitation via a post on X, saying, “Was pleased to receive the Principal Secretary to LG Manoj Sinha ji. He handed over a letter from the @OfficeOfLGJandK inviting me to form the next government in J&K.”
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