Now Jammu and Kashmir is directly administered by the Indian
federal government in New Delhi.
The swearing-in ceremony took place in the city of Srinigar,
the largest city in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah's JKNC won the most seats in a three-phase
election prior to his swearing-in.
The
JKNC is staunchly opposed to Modi's move to abrogate Kashmir's Article 370 of
semi autonomy, with the JKNC's victory seen as backlash against
Modi's decision.
Manoj Sinha, a member of the ruling BJP, administered the
oath of office to Abdullah. Sinha serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu
and Kashmir, a position that was created by the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir
Reorganization Act in the wake of Article 270's abrogation.
Modi, in a post on X, congratulated Abdullah on
becoming chief minister: "Wishing him the very best in his efforts to
serve the people."
The JKNC is allied with the Indian National Developmental
Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), which is led by India's largest opposition party,
the Indian National Congress.
Rahul Gandhi, a member of the Congress Party who serves as
leader of opposition in the Indian parliament's lower house, or Lok Sabha, was
present at Abdullah's swearing in.
Gandhi extended his congratulations to Abdullah in a post on
X. At the same time, he said "government formation without statehood
felt incomplete today."
"Democracy was snatched from the people of Jammu and
Kashmir, and today we renew our pledge to continue our fight until statehood is
fully restored," Gandhi said.
