Gandhis to attend Omar Abdullah's oath ceremony as Congress opts out of government
PTC News Desk: In a significant development regarding the Jammu and Kashmir government formation, the Congress has decided not to join the government despite forming an alliance with the National Conference (NC) for the recent elections.
The Congress-National Conference alliance, led by Chief Minister-elect Omar Abdullah, will instead see the Congress providing external support, rather than taking ministerial roles. Sources indicate that the Congress even declined the offer of one ministerial berth in the new government, opting for a position of influence from the outside.
Omar Abdullah, who will soon be sworn in as Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, acknowledged the ongoing discussions with Congress, stating that the National Conference is "in talks" with Congress to finalise the specifics of their alliance arrangement. The Congress leadership, including President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will be present at the oath-taking ceremony, alongside eight ministers set to join Omar Abdullah’s cabinet.
Other prominent leaders from the INDIA bloc, such as Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal Chief Minister), and MK Stalin (DMK), have also been invited to the swearing-in. Allies in the Maharashtra elections, including Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, are also expected to attend.
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Omar Abdullah’s leadership brings Jammu and Kashmir its first elected government in a decade, after the National Conference triumphed in the September-October elections. He has emphasized his primary goal as restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was revoked with the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. Speaking about the challenges ahead, Abdullah stated, "We have a lot to do. We have to give people hope... that this is their government, and they will be heard."
Omar Abdullah’s election win comes after a remarkable turnaround, following his defeat in the Baramulla Lok Sabha race. In this election, he secured victories in Budgam and Ganderbal constituencies, strengthening his leadership position. The NC dominated the Assembly elections, winning 42 of the 90 seats, while the Congress faltered, securing only six seats—far fewer than the 12 it won in 2014.
This election outcome solidified the NC's position as the dominant partner in the Congress-National Conference alliance, enabling Omar Abdullah to be named Chief Minister, a decision quickly endorsed by his father, NC patriarch Farooq Abdullah. Further bolstering the NC’s position were four independents and the lone Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator, who offered support to the party directly, bypassing its alliance with Congress.
The election results in Jammu and Kashmir have put pressure on the broader INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress, which also faced defeat in Haryana. Allies like Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, a key partner in the upcoming Maharashtra elections, criticized the Congress for its inability to effectively manage regional alliances. In an editorial in the Sena’s mouthpiece, Saamana, the Congress was criticized for "turning a winning innings into a defeat" due to internal mismanagement.
The Congress' inability to secure a stronger foothold in the alliance has raised concerns within the INDIA bloc, with some allies calling for better coordination. Despite the setbacks, Congress leadership, including Kharge and Gandhi, have promised a detailed review of the election results to address the party's internal issues ahead of the upcoming elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
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- With inputs from agencies
