"People of J-K have been facing a difficult time since August 2019," says PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti

"I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir on getting a stable government after a long time. J-K has been facing a difficult time since August 2019 (after the abrogation of Article 370). They have given a mandate with great hope thinking that the wrong decision taken will be condemned on the floor of the House. A message will be given to the whole country and along with it, the problems of our daily lives like lack of electricity and other problems will also be resolved. Unemployment, drug addiction, electricity, and the rest of the issues must be addressed properly," said Mufti.

Extending greetings to Omar Abdullah, J&K BJP President Ravinder Raina said, "I congratulate Omar Abdullah who has taken oath as the new CM of J&K and also his Council of Ministers. I hope that they will work to further establish peace in J&K and also resolve the issues faced by the public. I also wish that he takes forward the efforts put in by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah."

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also attended the swearing-in ceremony of Omar Abdullah and said, "It was important (to form the government here), and getting the rights is even more important."

Earlier in the day, National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

L-G Manoj Saxena administered the oath of office to Abdullah and his council of ministers at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.

NC leader Surinder Kumar Choudhary took oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

NC MLA from Mendhar Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar from Rafiabad, Sakina Itoo from DH Pora, and Surinder Kumar Chowdhary were also administered oaths by LG Sinha as ministers in Cabinet.

Independent MLA from Chhamb assembly seat Satish Sharma was given a place in the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra along with many INDIA bloc leaders were also present for the swearing-in ceremony. (ANI)