Srinagar: Omar Abdullah is set to take oath as the first chief minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir following the National Conference's (NC) victory in the maiden assembly election post the abrogation of Article 370.

The swearing-in ceremony will take place on Wednesday at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administering the oath of office to Abdullah and his council of ministers.

Security tightened for the event
Officials have confirmed that security has been heightened around the venue to ensure smooth proceedings. "The security has been beefed up especially as a lot of VVIPs will be attending the event. We will ensure the smooth conduct of the event," officials said.

High-profile attendees and Congress leadership presence
The oath-taking ceremony is expected to witness prominent political figures. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi are scheduled to attend the ceremony, according to a senior Congress leader. "Rahul Gandhi, Kharge ji, and Priyanka ji are scheduled to participate in the oath ceremony tomorrow," he confirmed.

The senior leader also mentioned that some chief ministers and representatives from various states will be present, highlighting the significance of the event. The Congress high command is expected to finalise the party's ministerial berths in Abdullah’s new government.

Congress strengthens role in new government
Congress appointed Ghulam Ahmad Mir as its Legislature Party leader in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, marking a key development in the coalition’s governance plans.

Abdullah's unanimous election and coalition support
Omar Abdullah was unanimously elected leader of the NC Legislature Party, securing his second term as chief minister, his first being from 2009 to 2014 when Jammu and Kashmir was a state. The NC won 42 out of 90 seats, while the Congress secured six, allowing the two pre-poll allies to hold a majority in the 95-member assembly, bolstered by five Independent MLAs-elect and one AAP MLA-elect.

Invitation from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha
On Monday, Sinha formally invited Abdullah to form the government following the revocation of President’s rule in the Union Territory. In his letter, Sinha acknowledged the unanimous election of Abdullah and the support extended by Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra, CPI(M) secretary G N Malik, AAP national secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta, and five Independent MLAs-elect.

The swearing-in will mark a significant moment in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape since its transition to Union Territory status. PTI