Omar Abdullah stakes claim to form government in Jammu and Kashmir; urges LG to decide date for oath-taking ceremony

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah staked claim to form the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday evening. The senior politician met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan with letters of support from various parties and Independent candidates.

“I’ve just come back after meeting LG Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan. During the meeting, I submitted support letters from NC, Congress, CPI(M), AAP and independent candidates to the LG. I requested him to decide a date for the oath-taking ceremony at the earliest,” says JKNC vice president told the media.

The National Conference-Congress combine had eked out a majority earlier this week as Jammu and Kashmir held its first Assembly election since 2014. The alliance won 48 seats with NC carrying the alliance to power on its shoulders as Congress could win only six seats. Ninety assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir assembly went to the polls in three-phased election.

Abdullah however said government formation would be a “long process as there is Centre rule” in the Union Territory.

“The LG will first send the documents to Rashtrapati Bhawan and then to Home Ministry. We have been told it will take 2-3 days. So if it happens before Tuesday, we will have the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday… All I want to say is that Jammu will not be ignored in this government,” he explained.

His father and NC chief Farooq Abdullah had earlier indicated that the former CM would reprise his role in the new government. Abdullah was also unanimously elected as the head of the National Conference legislature Party on Thursday.

The developments came mere hours after the Congress formally extended support to the National Conference for government formation in Jammu and Kashmir by giving a letter of support. The letter of support by Congress and independent as well as the AAP paved the way for National Conference staking claim to form government in Jammu and Kashmir.

(With inputs from agencies)