NEW DELHI: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi extended wishes to NC leader Omar Abdhullah for taking charge as the CM of Jammu and Kashmir , which marked the first elected government since abrogation of Article 370 in August of 2019.
Rahul Gandhi, whose party has decided to forgo ministries 'for now' due to 'unhappiness' over statehood not being granted to the union territory of J&K, echoed similar concerns, saying "government formation without statehood felt incomplete".
"Government formation without statehood felt incomplete today," the Leader of Opposition wrote on his post while also congratulating the newly crowned CM of the union territory.
He further reiterated his claim that democracy was "snatched" from the people and vowed to continue to fight for the cause until the objective is met.
"Today we renew our pledge to continue our fight until statehood is fully restored," he added.
The Congress party is unhappy over the fact that statehood has not been restored to Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra said earlier in the day.
But, the statehood has not been restored to J-K. We are unhappy, therefore, we are not joining the ministry at the moment," he said.
On similar lines, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took to X to extend her congratulations to Omar Abdullah and the members of his newly formed cabinet, while also pledging to work in confidence with INDIA coalition to press for the restoration of "rights" .
"Many congratulations to the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah ji, and all the members of his cabinet. Thank you to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for raising the voice of justice and democracy with the power of your vote. Best wishes for the future," she wrote.
"The 'INDIA' coalition government will work with full dedication to restore the pending rights of the people as well as to fulfil all its promises and people's aspirations," she added, in an clear reference to J&K's statehood.
The Congress's decision to stay away from the ministry, has fueled speculations of a rift between the JKNC and Congress, which however has been dismissed by Omar Abdullah. He clarified that while Congress has chosen not to join the cabinet immediately, ministerial positions remain open as discussions between the two parties are ongoing.
"Congress is not out of the cabinet. It's for them to decide, and we have been in discussions with them. I will not be filling all 9 vacancies in the council of ministers. Some vacancies will be kept open as we are in talks with Congress. Everything is well between NC and Congress, otherwise Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and senior Congress leaders would not be coming here. Their presence is indicative of the fact that the alliance is strong, and we will work for the people (of the state)," Omar Abdullah said.
It must also be noted that the oath taking ceremony of the new chief minister was attended by several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kharge Farooq Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Mehbooba Mufti, Sanjay Singh, and D Raja.
The swearing-in marked the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganization of the former state into two Union Territories. The NC-Congress alliance emerged victorious in the recent assembly elections, securing 48 seats, with the National Conference winning 42 and Congress gaining six.
Rahul Gandhi, whose party has decided to forgo ministries 'for now' due to 'unhappiness' over statehood not being granted to the union territory of J&K, echoed similar concerns, saying "government formation without statehood felt incomplete".
"Government formation without statehood felt incomplete today," the Leader of Opposition wrote on his post while also congratulating the newly crowned CM of the union territory.
He further reiterated his claim that democracy was "snatched" from the people and vowed to continue to fight for the cause until the objective is met.
"Today we renew our pledge to continue our fight until statehood is fully restored," he added.
Congratulations to CM Omar Abdullah and to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 16, 2024
However, 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…
The Congress party is unhappy over the fact that statehood has not been restored to Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra said earlier in the day.
But, the statehood has not been restored to J-K. We are unhappy, therefore, we are not joining the ministry at the moment," he said.
On similar lines, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took to X to extend her congratulations to Omar Abdullah and the members of his newly formed cabinet, while also pledging to work in confidence with INDIA coalition to press for the restoration of "rights" .
जम्मू-कश्मीर के मुख्यमंत्री श्री @OmarAbdullah जी और उनके मंत्रिमंडल के सभी सदस्यों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई।
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 16, 2024
अपने वोट की ताकत से न्याय व लोकतंत्र की आवाज बुलंद करने के लिए जम्मू-कश्मीर की आवाम का शुक्रिया और भविष्य की शुभकामनायें।
'INDIA' गठबंधन की सरकार आवाम के लंबित अधिकारों को… pic.twitter.com/yYDwBtB4Qg
"Many congratulations to the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Omar Abdullah ji, and all the members of his cabinet. Thank you to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for raising the voice of justice and democracy with the power of your vote. Best wishes for the future," she wrote.
"The 'INDIA' coalition government will work with full dedication to restore the pending rights of the people as well as to fulfil all its promises and people's aspirations," she added, in an clear reference to J&K's statehood.
The Congress's decision to stay away from the ministry, has fueled speculations of a rift between the JKNC and Congress, which however has been dismissed by Omar Abdullah. He clarified that while Congress has chosen not to join the cabinet immediately, ministerial positions remain open as discussions between the two parties are ongoing.
"Congress is not out of the cabinet. It's for them to decide, and we have been in discussions with them. I will not be filling all 9 vacancies in the council of ministers. Some vacancies will be kept open as we are in talks with Congress. Everything is well between NC and Congress, otherwise Kharge ji, Rahul ji, and senior Congress leaders would not be coming here. Their presence is indicative of the fact that the alliance is strong, and we will work for the people (of the state)," Omar Abdullah said.
It must also be noted that the oath taking ceremony of the new chief minister was attended by several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kharge Farooq Abdullah, Akhilesh Yadav, Mehbooba Mufti, Sanjay Singh, and D Raja.
The swearing-in marked the first elected government in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent reorganization of the former state into two Union Territories. The NC-Congress alliance emerged victorious in the recent assembly elections, securing 48 seats, with the National Conference winning 42 and Congress gaining six.
You may also like
International Day for Eradication of Poverty: A Call for Collective Action
Strictly's Wynne Evans set 'to leave show' after 'wandering hands' scandal with Katya Jones
Project to provide Cauvery water to Bengaluru's peripheral areas launched
Seaside town with abbey on cliff edge that inspired Dracula
Prince Harry's uncle gushes about 'brilliant' new girlfriend after bitter split from third wife
Gary Neville slams the FA for appointing Thomas Tuchel as England manager
Rick Astley reveals brutal first take on Kylie Minogue as he makes 'snooty' admission
Hoax bomb threats to flights: Teenage boy, father under investigation for targeting Mumbai planes
AAP launches 'Jan Sampark' campaign ahead of Delhi Assembly polls
Adorable stray dog who spent 10 months crying in kennel undergoes impressive transformation
'Felt incomplete': What Rahul Gandhi said after Omar Abdullah's CM oath
US Winter Forecast 2024-2025: Will La Niña shape New York's snowy outlook?
Insurance bodies meet with ministers to tackle the 'spiralling' costs of motor cover
'I clean celebrity homes and swear by these Home Bargains products'
Smoothies vs. Juices: What's the Ultimate Weight Loss Solution?
'SFJ Communicating With PM Trudeau's Office For Last 2-3 Years..': Khalistani Terrorist Pannun's MASSIVE Admission Amid India-Canada Diplomatic Rift (VIDEO)
Jharkhand Party announces five candidates, party chief's children enter the fray
Centre will work closely with Omar Abdullah, his team: PM Modi
Liverpool owners FSG respond to 'serious' record-breaking NBA takeover rumours
Channel 4 confirms future of A Place in the Sun with fresh update