Srinagar: National Conference vice president and Chief Minister-designate Omar Abdullah called on Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar to stake his claim to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir. He also submitted all the letters of support.
At around 7. 45 PM, Omar Abdullah reached Raj Bhawan and handed over the letters of support from Congress, (CPI(M), AAP and some independents and requested LG to fix a date for swearing-in of the new government, Abdullah told media after the meeting.
“I requested him to fix a date for the swearing-in ceremony so that the government can start functioning. It will be a long process as there is Centre rule here. The LG will first send the documents to Rashtrapati Bhawan and then to Home Ministry. We have been told it will take 2-3 days. So if it happens before Tuesday, we will have the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday,” Abdullah said.
He was informed by the LG’s office that the procedure for the revocation of President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir commenced tonight and is expected to take 3-4 days.
When asked that inclusion of Jammu region in government formation, Abdullah asserted: “All I want to say is that Jammu will not be ignored in this government.”
Asked whether any leaders from the INDIA bloc would be invited for the swearing-in ceremony, Abdullah said NC president Farooq Abdullah will see to that.
“He (Farooq Abdullah) is the leader of the INDIA bloc and invitations, if any, will be sent in his name. Those whom I have to invite, I will send them invitations tomorrow,” the junior Abdullah added.
To a question about any demands of ministerial berths by his alliance partner, the NC leader said such discussions take place as the parties were forming the government together.
“We have received their letter of support… we have held internal discussions,” he said.
Responding to a question about Independent candidates offering support to the NC for the government formation, the chief minister-designate said only those people who were a part of the party before were supporting.
“Except a few, these are the same people who could not get a mandate because of the alliance and contested the polls independently… We welcome their support. They have received the votes of the people because people expect them to do their work and now, it is my duty to hold their hands,” he said.
Abdullah was unanimously elected as the leader of the NC legislature party on Thursday, paving the way for his second term as the chief minister of J&K.
His first tenure as the chief minister was also as the head of the NC-Congress coalition government from 2009 to 2014.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the LG’s office said that Omar Abdullah, Vice President, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan today. He handed over a letter from the Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah stating that Omar Abdullah has been elected as Leader of the Legislature Party of JKNC. Letters of support from INC, CPI(M), AAP and independent members were also handed over to the Lieutenant Governor.
Earlier in the day, the six Congress MLAs met here and authorised the party high command in New Delhi to nominate the leader of its legislature party.
After the meeting, JKPCC president Tariq Karra said the CLP meeting unanimously decided to give the right to the central leadership to take the call on the legislature party leader.
Later, Karra handed over letter of support to Chief Minister designate, Omar Abdullah.
