Srinagar/New Delhi, 8 October, 2024: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah will assume the role of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, as declared by his father, Farooq Abdullah, amid early trends showing the Congress-NC alliance approaching the winning threshold in the Union Territory’s assembly elections.
This announcement follows indications that the alliance will secure victory in the first assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in a decade.
“After 10 years, the people have given their mandate to us. We pray to Allah that we meet their expectations. It will not be ‘police raj’ here but public governance. We will strive to release the innocent from jail, and the media will be free. We must develop trust between Hindus and Muslims,” Farooq Abdullah stated to reporters.
The former Chief Minister expressed hope that partners in the INDIA alliance would support the National Conference’s efforts to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was downgraded to a Union Territory following the revocation of its special status.
When asked about the leadership position, he confidently affirmed, “Omar Abdullah banega Chief Minister.” The Congress-National Conference alliance is currently leading in 52 out of 90 seats, surpassing the halfway mark of 46, while the BJP holds a lead in 27 seats.
Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is projected to secure just two seats based on the latest trends. Omar Abdullah, who previously served as Chief Minister from 2009 to 2015, expressed gratitude to voters for reinstating the National Conference and assured that the party would work to fulfill the electorate’s expectations.
