SRINAGAR, Oct 16: In a significant move aimed at promoting inclusivity in his administration, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has selected Surender Choudhary from Nowshera, Jammu, as his deputy. Abdullah made the announcement following his swearing-in, highlighting the importance of giving a voice to the people of the Jammu region.
“We strive to ensure that everyone is included in our governance,” Abdullah remarked to reporters after the ceremony. Alongside him, five ministers were also sworn in: Sakina Masood (Itoo), Javed Dar, Javed Rana, Surinder Choudhary, and Satish Sharma. Abdullah mentioned that three ministerial positions remain vacant, which will be filled gradually.
Choudhary, who previously held positions in both the PDP and the BJP, gained notoriety for defeating BJP’s J&K president Ravinder Raina in the recent elections by a substantial margin of 7,819 votes. Abdullah emphasized that his choice of a deputy from Jammu was deliberate, ensuring that the region feels represented in the government. “I want the people of Jammu to know they have a voice and representatives in this administration,” he stated.
Choudhary’s political journey has seen ups and downs, having lost to Raina in the 2014 assembly elections while running on a PDP ticket. After parting ways with the PDP in 2022 and briefly joining the BJP, he rejoined the National Conference last year.
This government marks the first elected leadership since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which resulted in the division of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The National Conference performed well in the recent assembly elections, winning 42 out of 90 seats, while its coalition partner, Congress, secured six seats. Together, they hold a majority in the 95-member assembly, pending five nominations from the Lieutenant Governor.
