Omar Abdullah Takes Oath as MLA in Kashmiri, Marks New Era for Jammu and Kashmir Assembly
In a significant moment for Jammu and Kashmir politics, newly elected members of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly took their oaths on October 21, 2024, administered by Pro-tem Speaker Mubarak Gul. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made headlines by taking his oath in the Kashmiri language, highlighting a renewed commitment to his roots.
In the recent elections, Omar Abdullah won both the Budgam and Ganderbal Assembly constituencies but chose to retain the Ganderbal seat, a stronghold for the Abdullah family. This decision was confirmed by the pro-tem speaker during the ceremony.
At 54, Abdullah previously served as MLA for Ganderbal from 2009 to 2014 during his first term as Chief Minister. After the latest electoral developments, the National Conference now holds 41 seats in the 95-member Assembly, maintaining a comfortable majority with the backing of six Congress MLAs, five Independents, and one MLA each from AAP and CPI(M). The BJP stands as the second-largest party with 29 seats, marking its best performance in the region to date.
Omar Abdullah Enhances Linguistic Skills
Omar Abdullah, who is the son of renowned political figures Farooq and Mollie Abdullah, faced past criticisms regarding his proficiency in his native languages. Initially struggling with Hindi, Urdu, and Kashmiri, he undertook lessons during his first term as Chief Minister to improve his skills. His oath-taking in Kashmiri reflects his progress and commitment to the region’s cultural heritage.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary opted to take his oath in English. This ceremony signifies the conclusion of a six-year legislative hiatus in Jammu and Kashmir.
The assembly includes 51 first-time members, among them 29-year-old Shagun Parihar from BJP, the youngest representative, while Abdul Rahim Rather, at 80, is the oldest. Both Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar from the National Conference have an unparalleled record, with seven terms in the assembly. Sagar has been serving since 1983, whereas Rather began his legislative journey in 1977, although he lost his seat in the 2014 elections.
The oath-taking ceremony marks a new chapter for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, with Abdullah at the helm, steering the region’s political landscape.
