In 2019, following the revocation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi-led BJP government, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). This move followed the abrogation of the region’s special status, converting Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory under the direct control of the central government. Omar, the son of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and a leader of the National Conference (NC) party, took office amidst public concerns about restoring statehood and addressing local issues.
The 2019 elections saw the National Conference secure 43 seats, forming a coalition with the Congress party, which won 8 seats. During his tenure, Omar focused on public outreach, addressing key issues, and advocating for the restoration of statehood. He visited the Hazratbal shrine and engaged in discussions with leaders like Tariq Hameed Karra of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee. The abrogation of Article 370 led to dissatisfaction among many Kashmiri leaders, including Mehbooba Mufti, who was detained during the political crisis. Despite criticisms of his administration being a “puppet” regime, Omar pushed for the reinstatement of autonomy for the region.
Omar Abdullah’s Bold Move: Ending VIP Culture in Jammu and Kashmir
As Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah made a landmark decision to end the VIP culture in Jammu and Kashmir. His move eliminated green corridors and traffic stoppages for official convoys, a practice long associated with high-ranking officials in the region. Abdullah emphasized the need to minimize public inconvenience, including discontinuing the use of sirens and other security measures that often disrupted daily life. His administration sought to be more accessible and people-friendly, reducing the sense of separation between the government and the public.
This decision was one of Omar’s first major actions after taking office in 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370. His NC-led government was part of the first elected administration post-2019, signaling a shift towards greater transparency and accountability. With Surinder Choudhary as his deputy, the coalition government, comprising the NC, Congress, and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), held a combined strength of 48 members in the 95-member assembly.
Omar Abdullah Returns: First CM of IIOJK in 10 Years
Omar Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, returned as the first Chief Minister of IIOJK in a decade after a high-profile swearing-in ceremony at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar. At 54, Omar came back to power following the September-October elections, where his party secured 42 seats in the 90-member assembly. His coalition was bolstered by support from four Independents and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), marking a significant political victory despite the controversial backdrop of Article 370’s revocation.
This marks Omar’s second term as Chief Minister, having previously served from 2009. His leadership continues the Abdullah family’s political legacy—his father, Farooq Abdullah, served three terms as CM, and his grandfather, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was the first Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Omar’s return to office comes at a critical moment as IIOJK navigates its new political landscape following the BJP government’s decision to revoke Article 370.
