Avinash Azad
Shortly after assuming office, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah marked his return with a brief post on X, simply stating, “I’m back.” Alongside this, he announced a key directive to the Director General of Police, instructing the end of ‘green corridor’ traffic stoppages during his road movements.
The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKISS) in Srinagar, saw Omar Abdullah being sworn in as Chief Minister along with five ministers, including Surinder Choudhary, who took the position of Deputy Chief Minister. The other ministers sworn in were Sakina Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar, and Satish Sharma. The oath was administered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, symbolizing the handover of authority from the administration to the elected government.
In an effort to maintain regional balance, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appointed three of the six ministers in his council from the Jammu region. In his first official move as Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah took to X once again, announcing his decision to curb the much-criticized VVIP culture in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I have spoken to the DG @JmuKmrPolice that there is to be no ‘green corridor’ or traffic stoppage when I move anywhere by road. I have instructed him to minimise public inconvenience & the use of sirens is to be minimal.
The use of any stick-waving or aggressive gestures is to be totally avoided. I’m asking my cabinet colleagues to follow the same example,” Abdullah stated. He emphasized that the conduct of public officials must be people-friendly, underscoring his administration’s commitment to public service and reducing inconvenience to ordinary citizens.
This directive from Omar Abdullah is seen as a crucial step in dismantling the VVIP culture that has prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir, especially after the abrogation of Article 370, which stripped the region of its special status. His call for a “full stop” to the green corridors and siren-laden motorcades is expected to resonate positively with the public, who have often been at the receiving end of roadblocks and disruptions due to such movements.
However, the event was not without controversy. Ghulam Ahmad Mir, leader of the Congress legislative party, pointedly remarked, “None of the elected members took oath before J&K LG. It is a mark of our protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not restoring statehood to J&K.”
With Omar Abdullah’s return, Jammu and Kashmir embarks on a new chapter, with its elected leadership now facing the challenge of steering the region toward stability, development, and reconciliation. Omar Abdullah, reflecting on his political journey ahead of the swearing-in ceremony, noted that he was the last Chief Minister to complete a full six-year term in Jammu and Kashmir.
He expressed pride in that achievement but acknowledged the new challenges of leading the region as a Union Territory, stating that while he is honored to serve, the role of Chief Minister in a Union Territory presents unique difficulties. Abdullah also expressed hope that this status would be temporary, underscoring his desire for the restoration of full statehood.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several high-profile leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc, signaling the national significance of the event. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi were present, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat. Kanimozhi Karunanidhi of the DMK and Supriya Sule of the NCP were also in attendance.
