Five years after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir is on the verge of witnessing a democratic shift as Omar Abdullah, vice-president of the National Conference (NC), prepares to take office as the first chief minister of the Union territory since its status was downgraded in 2019. His swearing-in on Wednesday marks a significant political moment, symbolising the restoration of democratic governance in the region and offering a glimpse into the current political pulse of its people.

Omar Abdullah, a seasoned politician who has previously served as chief minister, is no stranger to the complexities of governance in the region. However, the dynamics have shifted significantly since 2019 — not least because, until then, J&K also functioned under its own constitution but for a few realms.

Jammu and Kashmir is no longer a full-fledged state but a Union territory, meaning considerable power lies with the lieutenant governor (LG), and, by extension, the central government.

His government will be constrained by the structural limitations inherent in the Union territory framework. In this system, his administration will be, to a large extent, subordinate to the federally appointed lieutenant governor (LG). This means that many significant powers, including law and order, and, possibly, key areas of governance, will rest with the LG rather than the elected chief minister, creating potential friction and limiting the autonomy the Abdullah government can exercise.

Abdullah, aware of these challenges, has indicated that while reinstating Article 370 remains a long-term goal, immediate confrontations with the Centre will be avoided to ensure stability and effective governance in the deeply complex region.

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Omar Abdullah, the Chief Minister-elect of Jammu and Kashmir, faces the formidable challenge of operating within the constraints of the Union territory governance structure, which heavily relies on the LG. Even though many decisions should........

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