Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chose party leader Surender Choudhary from Nowshera in Jammu as his deputy, saying he did so to give a voice to people of the region and make his government inclusive. "Our endeavour will be to take everyone along," the National Conference leader told reporters after being sworn in. Five ministers -- Sakina Masood (Itoo), Javed Dar, Javed Rana, Surinder Choudhary and Satish Sharma -- also took the oath of office.
There are three vacancies and "they will gradually be filled", Abdullah said.
He said Choudhary -- a former member of the PDP and the BJP who emerged a giant killer when he defeated BJP's J-K president Ravinder Raina from Nowshera by 7,819 votes -- was chosen as deputy chief minister so people of Jammu do not feel left out from the government.
"I had said that we will not allow Jammu to feel that they do not have a voice or representatives in this government. I have chosen a deputy chief minister from Jammu so that the people of Jammu feel that this government is as much theirs as it is of the rest," he said.
In the 2014 assembly elections, Raina won the Nowshera seat by defeating Choudhary, who was then fighting on a PDP ticket, by a margin of over 10,000 votes. Choudhary resigned from the PDP in 2022 to join the BJP before ending his over a year-long association with the party to join the NC in July last year. PTI SSB MIJ
This is the first elected government since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated from Jammu and Kashmir and the state was bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
In the assembly elections held recently, the National Conference won 42 out of the 90 seats while alliance partner Congress bagged six. Together, the two pre-poll allies hold a majority in the 95-member assembly -- five members are to be nominated by the LG.
There are three vacancies and "they will gradually be filled", Abdullah said.
He said Choudhary -- a former member of the PDP and the BJP who emerged a giant killer when he defeated BJP's J-K president Ravinder Raina from Nowshera by 7,819 votes -- was chosen as deputy chief minister so people of Jammu do not feel left out from the government.
"I had said that we will not allow Jammu to feel that they do not have a voice or representatives in this government. I have chosen a deputy chief minister from Jammu so that the people of Jammu feel that this government is as much theirs as it is of the rest," he said.
In the 2014 assembly elections, Raina won the Nowshera seat by defeating Choudhary, who was then fighting on a PDP ticket, by a margin of over 10,000 votes. Choudhary resigned from the PDP in 2022 to join the BJP before ending his over a year-long association with the party to join the NC in July last year. PTI SSB MIJ
This is the first elected government since 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated from Jammu and Kashmir and the state was bifurcated into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
In the assembly elections held recently, the National Conference won 42 out of the 90 seats while alliance partner Congress bagged six. Together, the two pre-poll allies hold a majority in the 95-member assembly -- five members are to be nominated by the LG.
You may also like
Starlink Sets Its Sights on India: Musk's Vision for Better Connectivity
'I tried the new McDonald's mini hash browns - I have one major issue with them'
The best value gaming headset is about to get even better
Mappable forms strategic partnerships with Fujairah GIS Center, Emirates Transport and Emarat at GITEX 2024
Amanda Holden sparks BGT outrage as 'fake' announcement heard in background of new video
Kyran Durnin's mum left chilling note behind on table before vanishing with her son, 8
BSF seizes 2.75 kg gold along Indo-B'desh border, 3 farmers held
My 70-year-old dad swears by this M&S thermal top for keeping him warm in winter
Meet the mind guru helping 'goofy and loving' Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet
'No Stick-Waving Or Aggressive Gestures': Omar Abdullah, In First Move As J&K CM, Sets New VIP Protocol
New Zealand exempts abuse victims from forced 2-year wait before they can seek divorce
Four Bangladeshis arrested along IBB with fake Aadhaar cards
Lionel Scaloni comments after Lionel Messi hat-trick sum it all up as retirement hint dropped
Sensex Slips 319 Points, Nifty Dips Below 25K: Auto & IT Stocks Drag
SCO meeting: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif stays silent on Kashmir
Govt approves Rs 35,000 cr for PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan
'My son has come back': Murdered fan Renukaswamy's father as grandson born
Alastair Cook, Neetu David And AB De Villiers Inducted Into The ICC Hall Of Fame As Class Of 2024
'Stylish' ankle wellies are 'so comfortable and a godsend in wet weather' - and under £20
Diwali BONANZA! Haryana anganwadi workers salary hike announced ahead of festival