When Omar Abdullah took his first plunge into Kashmir politics in 1998, the odds were stacked heavily against him. Separatists were at their peak and the National Conference, founded by his grandfather, Sheikh Abdullah, almost 50 years ago, was seen as a stooge of New Delhi.
Omar, who began his political journey in the state from this assembly seat in 2002 elections, had been advised by some of his party men to choose another constituency in the backdrop of his previous poll debacle. National Conference had emerged as the largest party in the last polls with 28 seats in the 87-member House but chose to sit in opposition.
Incessant overnight rainfall has triggered severe flash floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts, resulting in at least eight fatalities and six people missing, prompting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to cut short his Delhi visit to personally monitor the situation.
The former chief minister said if there was any danger of his losing from Budgam, then his party colleagues would not have allowed him to contest from Budgam.
Veteran politician Farooq Abdullah survived an assassination attempt during a marriage function in Jammu. Security concerns have been raised following the incident.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah showed his cricketing skills as he played the game with the locals of Brenwar, a remote village in Budgam district, where he was "grounded" due to bad weather.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has pardoned the policeman who hurled a shoe at him during the Independence Day celebrations on Sunday.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited the family of a 12-year-old girl murdered in Budgam, offering condolences after police arrested a neighbour for the crime.
Baramulla-born fast bowler Auqib Nabi has been selected for the Indian Test squad to play against Sri Lanka, replacing an injured Jasprit Bumrah. This marks a historic moment as Nabi becomes the first player from the Kashmir Valley to join India's Test team, following impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy.
In her plea, Sara Abdullah Pilot has said that exercise of powers by authorities under the CrPC to detain individuals, including political leaders, was 'clearly mala fide to ensure that the opposition to the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution is silenced'.
The fifth edition of the J&K Open golf tournament, featuring a doubled prize purse of Rs 1 crore, is set to begin at the Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar. Defending champion Shaurya Bhattacharya will compete against top Indian professionals and international players, with the event also aiming to boost golf tourism in the region.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was not impressed by the opening ceremony of Indian Premier League's fifth edition and termed the show as 'tacky'.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expanded his cabinet by inducting 13 new ministers. This has taken the total strength of the National Conference-Congress coalition ministry from 11 to 22.The coalition government headed by Omar Abdullah was formed in January this year after the state elections were held in December 2008.
Omar Abdullah's nine-year old son Zahir, who accompanied his father on the victory lap in Ganderbal, instantly hit it off with the people, enjoying a new found celebrity status.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced himself from the 'vote chori' issue raised by the Congress, stating the INDIA bloc has no involvement.
Wrapping up his "productive" visit to the national capital, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had a meeting with Army chief General V K Singh on Tuesday morning during which the two discussed the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and security-related issues
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a cash reward of Rs 2 crore for the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team following its maiden Ranji Trophy triumph.
The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has strongly condemned the attack on former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and called for accountability from those responsible for maintaining law and order.
Hailing the over all improving situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said militancy in the region has declined.
Jammu and Kashmir, chief minister, Omar Abdullah assured the state assembly on Thursday that he will repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and Disturbed Areas Act 'if the situation continued to improve' in Kashmir.
Police in Jammu have launched a detailed investigation into the background and motives of Kamal Singh Jamwal, who allegedly attempted to assassinate former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah at a wedding function.
National Conference president Omar Abdullah escaped unhurt in powerful hand grenade explosion at an NC rally at Kralgund in the northern border district on Kupwara late on Monday afternoon.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has said that 35,000 troops have already been withdrawn from the state as part of the gradual troop reduction even though he admitted cross border infiltration had picked up in recent months.
The incident took place in the posh Greater Kailash locality when Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary were coming out after attending the marriage function.
Omar, presently kept in detention at Hari Nivas, is likely to be shifted as the J-K administration plans to use the place to host a ministerial delegation from the Centre.
National Conference president Omar Abdullah on Sunday evening met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra in the winter capital Jammu and staked claim to form the government. Omar was earlier chosen as the leader of the NC legislature party and state Congress president Saif-ud-Din Soz and another senior party leader Chowdhary Mohammad Aslam met Vohra and handed over a letter pledging the party's support to the NC.
The National Conference, which will head a coalition government with Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, is all set to join the United Progressive Alliance, Congress sources said on Friday. NC President Omar Abdullah, who will take oath as the new J and K chief minister on January five, has written to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi expressing his party's desire to join the UPA. The NC has two members in the Lok Sabha.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will submit his resignation on Wednesday when he will make a customary call on state Governor N N Vohra.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Wednesday announced security for panches and sarpanches in Kashmir Valley in the wake of killing of a Sarpanch in north Kashmir early this week that triggered large scale resignations.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah appealed for calm amid widespread protests following reports of the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Deploring the incidents witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir assembly, Congress on Monday came out in support of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is under Opposition attack following the controversy over the custodial death of a ruling National Conference worker.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister designate Omar Abdullah left for New Delhi, on Thursday to join senior leaders of the National Conference, to work out the modalities of the coalition government with their Congress counterparts.
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah Friday said no amount of economic development and prosperity would suffice unless matched with the political aspirations of people of the state.
Three-time chief minister Farooq Abdullah is under house arrest at his Gupkar Road residence while his son Omar is confined to Hari Niwas, a state guesthouse-turned into a jail, barely 500 metres away. Mehbooba is in detention in a hut at Chashmeshahi near the governor's residence Raj Bhavan.
'Our fight is not against the country but against the BJP and its ideology. The BJP is not the country and vice versa'
