Srinagar, Oct 16 (UNI): National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah on Wednesday took oath as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
The 54-year-old Abdullah had previously served as the chief minister of the state of J&K between 2009 and 2014.
He represented Srinagar twice in Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2009 and was the youngest Lok Sabha member and became the youngest Chief Minister of the state of Jammu and Kashmir after forming a coalition government with the Congress party on January 5, 2009.
From 2014 to 2018, Omar served as leader of the opposition in the erstwhile J&K state as he represented the Beerwah constituency of Budgam district in the legislative assembly which was dissolved in 2018 after President’s rule was imposed in J&K.
The Chief Minister also served as the Union Minister of State for External Affairs in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-headed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, from July 23, 2001, to December 23, 2002. However, he resigned from the NDA government in October 2002 to concentrate on party work.
After the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs, along with other leaders Omar Abdullah was detained and on February 6, 2020, the government of India booked him under the Public Safety Act (PSA) which was revoked on March 24, 2020.
