Gandhis attending Omar’s oath, Congress opts out of government role.
The National Conference emerged victorious in the September-October Jammu and Kashmir election, securing a dominant 42 out of the 90 assembly seats. This significant win solidified their position as a leading political force in the region. In contrast, the Congress, which was anticipated to perform strongly, faced a disappointing outcome, managing to win only six seats. The poor showing was a setback for the party, reflecting a lack of traction with voters. The election results highlighted the National Conference’s strong grassroots support and effective campaign strategy, overshadowing the Congress’s efforts and underscoring the party’s struggle to regain influence in J&K.
The Congress has decided not to participate in the new Jammu and Kashmir government despite having formed an alliance with the National Conference, led by Chief Minister-elect Omar Abdullah, to contest last month’s assembly elections. Sources informed NDTV on Wednesday morning that the party declined the offer of a ministerial position in the incoming government and will instead extend its support from the outside. This development signals a strategic move by the Congress, possibly aiming to maintain a degree of autonomy while backing the new administration.
Less than an hour after the news broke, Omar Abdullah addressed the matter, stating that his party, the National Conference, is still “in talks” with the Congress to finalize the nature of their collaboration. The specifics of the arrangement are yet to be confirmed, but the Congress’s decision to support from outside suggests a cautious approach, perhaps to avoid being seen as fully integrated with the ruling government.
Despite not joining the government, the Congress will play a role in the upcoming swearing-in ceremony. Three senior Congress leaders—Mallikarjun Kharge, the party’s president; Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha; and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the party’s General Secretary—are expected to attend the event. Omar Abdullah’s swearing-in as Chief Minister will mark the first time in a decade that Jammu and Kashmir has an elected head of state. The ceremony is also likely to see eight ministers taking the oath of office alongside him.
The swearing-in will not be limited to members of the Congress and the National Conference. Invitations have been extended to various leaders from the INDIA bloc, the alliance formed to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the national level. Notable figures expected to attend include Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, and Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal. MK Stalin, the leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), is also on the guest list. Additionally, the Congress’s allies in Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and veteran leader Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are anticipated to be present. The presence of these leaders could be a show of solidarity within the opposition, setting the stage for the broader political battles ahead.
Omar Abdullah’s impending swearing-in is a significant milestone in J&K’s political landscape, especially considering the state has not had an elected Chief Minister since its special status under Article 370 was revoked in August 2019. In the recently concluded September-October assembly elections, the National Conference emerged as the dominant force, winning 42 out of the 90 seats in the Assembly. This victory marked a substantial comeback for Omar Abdullah, who just months earlier had suffered a defeat in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in north Kashmir.
Having won both the Budgam and Ganderbal Assembly seats, Omar Abdullah now has a mandate to govern. Following the election results, he expressed a clear vision for his administration. He underscored the pressing need to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was downgraded to a Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370. This restoration is not only a political goal but also a significant demand of many residents who feel that the revocation diminished their political rights and regional identity.
In a statement to news agency ANI, Omar Abdullah emphasized the urgency of addressing the concerns of the people. We have to give people hope… that this is their government, and they will be heard.” This acknowledgment reflects the reality of the past five to six years, during which local governance was minimal, and the region faced extended periods of uncertainty and unrest. The new government aims to bridge the gap between the administration and the people, instilling confidence that their voices matter in the democratic process.
The outcome of these elections and the formation of the new government mark a new chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s history. For Omar Abdullah and the National Conference, the challenges ahead are considerable, but the opportunity to restore stability, revive the democratic process, and seek the reinstatement of statehood presents a path forward that could reshape the region’s future. The Congress’s decision to support from the outside and the attendance of prominent opposition leaders at the swearing-in signal a united front that could potentially strengthen the opposition’s position nationally while navigating the complex political dynamics within Jammu and Kashmir.