Why in the News?

Omar Abdullah, the vice president of the National Conference, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first government formation in the region since the revocation of its special status under Article 370 in 2019.

About Omar Abdullah

• Born: 10^th March 1970
• Political Background: Indian politician from Jammu and Kashmir.
• Earlier term as Chief Minister: 2009 to 2015
• Political Career: Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1998; served as Minister of State for External Affairs.
• Recent Elections: Defeated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections by independent candidate Er Rashid.
• Advocacy: Supports restoration of J&K's special status post-2019 abrogation.

About Chief Minister (CM)

• Appointment
  • He/She is appointed by the governor.
  • A leader of the party with the majority share of votes in assembly elections is appointed.
  • While the governor is the nominal executive authority, real executive authority rests with the Chief Minister.
  • A non-member of the state legislature can be appointed as Chief Minister for six months but must be elected within that time.
• Term of the CM
  • The term of the Chief Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the governor.
  • He/She cannot be dismissed by the governor as long as he enjoys the majority support in the legislative assembly.
  • The State Legislative Assembly can also remove him by passing a vote of no-confidence against him.
• Powers and Functions
  
  • With Respect to Council of Ministers
    
    • The governor appoints only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Chief Minister.
    • He/She allocates and reshuffles the portfolios among ministers.
    • He/She can bring about the collapse of the council of ministers by resigning from office, since the Chief Minister is the head of the council of ministers.
  • With Respect to Governor
    
    • The Chief Minister acts as a link between the Governor and the state council of ministers.
    • CM advises the Governor regarding the appointment of important officials like advocate general, chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission, State Election Commission, etc.
  • With Respect to State Legislature:
    
    • All the policies are announced by him on the floor of the house.
    • He/She recommends dissolution of legislative assembly to the Governor.
  • Other Functions
    • Chairman of the State Planning Board.
    • Member of the Inter-State Council and the Governing Council of NITI Aayog.
    • Acts as the chief spokesman of the state government.
    • Serves as crisis manager during emergencies.
    • Engages with various sections of the populace and addresses their issues.
    • Political head of the services.

Omar Abdullah: First Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir