Stage set for Omar to take oath today as first CM of J&K as UT

Srinagar: INDIA bloc heavyweights will be present in strength as National Conference's (NC )Omar Abdullah takes oath as CM of J&K for the second time Wednesday at a venue along the Dal, ending six years of central rule since BJP's withdrawal from the then coalition govt forced his predecessor Mehbooba Mufti of PDP to resign.
Lok Sabha leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi and AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge will be among those attending the swearing-in at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre from 11.30am. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was among the first of NC's allies from INDIA bloc to troop into town Tuesday for what he said would mark the beginning of a new era for J&K, including "taking the crucial step of restoring statehood".
DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Supriya Sule of NCP, Akali Dal's Sukhbir Singh Badal, and AAP's Sanjay Singh are expected, too. CPM's Prakash Karat is already in Srinagar for the event.
Omar, who faces the challenge of keeping his allies happy despite NC being on strong ground with 42 MLAs, has already lined up a 3pm meeting with the administrative secretaries to outline the govt's priorities for the UT
Sources said at least nine ministers could be sworn in along with Omar.