List of Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir (1965-2024)

Jammu & Kashmir, a picturesque state in northern India, is a land of breathtaking contrasts. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the lush green valleys of Kashmir, the state offers a diverse landscape that captivates visitors. 

Its rich cultural heritage, influenced by Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh traditions is evident in its ancient temples, mosques, and shrines.

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However, the state has a bitter history of conflict and political unrest, particularly with its neighbour Pakistan. 

The ruler of Jammu & Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, faced pressure from both India and Pakistan during the partition in 1947, ultimately leading to the state’s accession to India.

Currently, India and Pakistan both share control over Kashmir, the majority of Jammu & Kashmir. The region remains a contentious issue between India and Pakistan. 

Both countries claim the entire state, and their ongoing dispute has resulted in numerous wars and skirmishes. The Kashmir conflict continues to be one of the most complex and intractable issues in South Asia.

Facts about Jammu and Kashmir:

1. Area: 2,22236 sq km.

2. Population: 1.24 cr (2011 census)

3. Establishment: 26 Oct, 1947

4. Principal & Official Languages: The official language of the state is Urdu. Other languages are Kashmiri, Dogri, Pahari, Balti, Ladakhi, Punjabi, Gurji, and Dadri

5. Capital: Srinagar

6. Members of Parliament: Lok Sabha- 6, Rajya Sabha- 4

7. Legislature: Has a unicameral Legislative Assembly with 90 seats (including vacant reserved seats) and no longer has a bicameral legislature as it did before 2019.

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir became the chief executive of the state on 30 March 1965. So initially, 5 persons have served as the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

The first Prime Minister of the Jammu and Kashmir state was Mehr Chand Mahajan of the Indian National Congress party. Mr Mehr Chand Mahajan was sworn in as PM on 15 October 1947 and remained in this post till 5 March 1948.

How is the government in Jammu and Kashmir structured?

When India gained independence in August 1947, Jammu and Kashmir was one of 565 princely states. The rulers of these states had the option to join either India or Pakistan, as British rule ended.

The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, initially chose to avoid acceding immediately. Instead, he proposed a standstill agreement with both nations to maintain the status quo while he deliberated.

However, in October 1947, armed tribesmen from Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, leading to widespread violence and chaos. This invasion prompted Maharaja Hari Singh to seek military assistance from India.

On October 24, 1947, facing an imminent threat, Hari Singh sent his representative, Sheikh Abdullah, to Delhi to request help from the Indian government. 

On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession in Jammu. This legal document allowed Jammu and Kashmir to join India under specific terms.

The Instrument stipulated that Indian jurisdiction would extend to external affairs, defence, and communications. It was accepted by Lord Mountbatten, the then Governor-General of India, on October 27, 1947.

Following the signing, Indian troops were airlifted into Jammu and Kashmir to assist in repelling the invading forces. This military support was crucial in stabilising the region. 

Early Governance: Prime Minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat

After Jammu and Kashmir’s accession to India on October 26, 1947, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was appointed Prime Minister in March 1948, leading an interim government established by Maharaja Hari Singh.

The position was part of a unique political structure that included a Sadr-e-Riyasat (head of state) and allowed for significant autonomy under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Over time, the role saw considerable upheaval during the 1950s. Sheikh Abdullah was dismissed in 1953, leading to Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad taking over as Prime Minister. 

This period was marked by political instability and protests. In 1956, Jammu and Kashmir adopted its own constitution, further formalising the powers of the Prime Minister within the state’s political framework.

Transition to Chief Minister

The pivotal change occurred with the Sixth Amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution in March 1965, which replaced the title of Prime Minister with Chief Minister. Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq became the first Chief Minister following this amendment.

This transition was not merely nominal; it symbolised a shift towards greater integration with the Indian Union, aligning Jammu and Kashmir’s governance structure more closely with other Indian states.

List of Prime Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir State (1947-1965)

Here’s a list of Jammu and Kashmir’s prime ministers. The state was initially led by its own Prime Ministers (PMs), not Chief Ministers (CMs).

Name	From	To	Days in Office	Assembly (Election)
Mehr Chand Mahajan	15 October 1947	5 March 1948	142 days	Interim Government
Sheikh Abdullah	5 March 1948	31 October 1951	5 years, 157 days	Interim Government
Sheikh Abdullah	31 October 1951	9 August 1953	5 years, 157 days	1st Assembly (1951 election)
Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad	9 August 1953	25 March 1957	10 years, 125 days	1st Assembly (1951 election)
Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad	25 March 1957	18 February 1962	10 years, 125 days	2nd Assembly (1957 election)
Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad	18 February 1962	12 October 1963	10 years, 125 days	3rd Assembly (1962 election)
Khwaja Shamsuddin	12 October 1963	29 February 1964	140 days	3rd Assembly (1962 election)
See more : Optical Illusion: Among the Camels there is an Another Animal. Can You Spot the Animal? Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq	29 February 1964	30 March 1965	1 year, 30 days	3rd Assembly (1962 election)

List of Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir State (1965-2019)

Here’s the list of the chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir state from 1965 to 2019:

Name	From	To	Days in Office	Assembly (Election)
See more : Optical Illusion: Among the Camels there is an Another Animal. Can You Spot the Animal? Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq	30 March 1965	21 February 1967	6 years, 257 days	3rd (1962 election)
See more : Optical Illusion: Among the Camels there is an Another Animal. Can You Spot the Animal? Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq	21 February 1967	12 December 1971	4 years and 295 days	4th (1967 election)
Syed Mir Qasim	12 December 1971	17 June 1972	3 years, 75 days	5th (1972 election)
Syed Mir Qasim	17 June 1972	25 February 1975	2 years and 253 days	5th (1972 election)
Sheikh Abdullah	25 February 1975	26 March 1977	2 years, 29 days	National Conference
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	26 March 1977	9 July 1977	105 days	Dissolved
Sheikh Abdullah	9 July 1977	8 September 1982	5 years, 61 days	6th (1977 election)
See more : Labour Day 2024: Google Honours Workers with a Special Doodle Farooq Abdullah	8 September 1982	24 November 1983	1 year, 298 days	National Conference
See more : Labour Day 2024: Google Honours Workers with a Special Doodle Farooq Abdullah	24 November 1983	2 July 1984	0 years and 221 days	7th (1983 election)
Ghulam Mohammad Shah	2 July 1984	6 March 1986	1 year, 247 days	Awami National Conference
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	6 March 1986	5 September 1986	183 days	N/A
Vacant (President’s rule)	6 September 1986	7 November 1986	62 days	N/A
See more : Labour Day 2024: Google Honours Workers with a Special Doodle Farooq Abdullah	7 November 1986	23 March 1987	3 years, 73 days	National Conference
See more : Labour Day 2024: Google Honours Workers with a Special Doodle Farooq Abdullah	23 March 1987	19 January 1990	2 years and 302 days	8th (1987 election)
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	19 January 1990	18 July 1990	180 days	Dissolved
Vacant (President’s rule)	19 July 1990	9 October 1996	6 years, 82 days	N/A
See more : Labour Day 2024: Google Honours Workers with a Special Doodle Farooq Abdullah	9 October 1996	18 October 2002	6 years, 9 days	9th (1996 election)
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	18 October 2002	2 November 2002	15 days	10th (2002 election)
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed	2 November 2002	2 November 2005	3 years, 0 days	People’s Democratic Party
Ghulam Nabi Azad	2 November 2005	11 July 2008	2 years, 252 days	Indian National Congress
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	11 July 2008	5 January 2009	178 days	Dissolved
Omar Abdullah	5 January 2009	8 January 2015	6 years, 3 days	11th (2008 election)
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	8 January 2015	1 March 2015	52 days	12th (2014 election)
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed	1 March 2015	7 January 2016	312 days	People’s Democratic Party
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	7 January 2016	4 April 2016	88 days	N/A
Mehbooba Mufti	4 April 2016	20 June 2018	2 years, 77 days	People’s Democratic Party
Vacant (Governor’s rule)	20 June 2018	19 December 2018	182 days	Dissolved
Vacant (President’s rule)	20 December 2018	30 October 2019	314 days	N/A

List of Chief Ministers of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir (2019–present)

Here is the list of the recent Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir (UT), including the President’s Rule:

Name	From	To	Days in Office	Assembly	Party
Vacant (President’s rule)	30 October 2019	8 October 2024	4 years, 344 days	Dissolved	N/A
Omar Abdullah	8 October 2024	Incumbent	0 days	13th (2024 election)	Jammu & Kashmir National Conference

Jammu and Kashmir Elections 2024: A Comparative Analysis

The 2024 Jammu and Kashmir elections marked a significant political event, leading to the emergence of Omar Abdullah and the National Conference (NC) as key players in the region’s governance. Here’s a comparative analysis of the election results, Abdullah’s victory, and his approaches moving forward.

1) Election Overview

• Context: The elections were the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. This election was crucial for restoring an elected government after a six-year hiatus.
• Results: The National Conference, in alliance with the Congress Party, secured a total of 48 seats, with NC winning 42 seats out of 90. This coalition surpassed the majority mark of 46, establishing a clear mandate against other parties like the BJP, which won 29 seats, and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which managed only 3 seats.

2) Omar Abdullah’s Victory

• Surprising Outcome: Omar Abdullah expressed surprise at the scale of his party’s success, acknowledging that it exceeded expectations set by exit polls and political analysts. He attributed this victory to a shift in voter sentiment and tactical voting among constituents.
• Majority and Support: The NC-Congress alliance’s decisive win demonstrated a clear rejection of smaller parties and independents, indicating a consolidation of votes among major political entities.

3) Approaches Moving Forward

• Unity and Inclusivity: Abdullah emphasised the need for a government that represents all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, not just those who voted for the alliance. He stressed that the incoming government must work towards unifying diverse communities within the region.
• Restoration of Statehood: A significant aspect of Abdullah’s agenda is advocating for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. He believes that after delimitation and elections, this step is crucial for addressing local governance issues effectively.
• Collaboration with Central Government: Abdullah aims to foster a cooperative relationship with the central government, focusing on addressing unique challenges faced by Jammu and Kashmir rather than adopting an antagonistic stance 

What are Omar Abdullah’s Key Policies and Approaches for the New Term?

Omar Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference (NC), has outlined several key policies and approaches for his new term as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir following the 2024 elections. Here’s a summary of his main strategies:

1) Healthy Relationship with the Centre

• Collaboration Focus: Abdullah emphasises the need for a constructive working relationship with the central government and the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha. He believes that an antagonistic approach will not benefit Jammu and Kashmir, especially given the region’s complex challenges.
• Immediate Engagement: He plans to meet with key central leaders, including the Prime Minister and Home Minister, soon after forming the government to discuss pressing issues and foster cooperation.

2) Restoration of Statehood

• Advocacy for Statehood: A central tenet of Abdullah’s agenda is the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. He expects the central government to honour its commitments regarding this issue, arguing that there should be no preconditions tied to political party control in the region.
• Legislative Council: He also advocates for re-establishing a Legislative Council to ensure diverse community representation, including for groups like Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs.

3) Inclusivity and Representation

• Sense of Belonging: Abdullah aims to ensure that all communities in Jammu and Kashmir feel represented in governance, particularly those who may not have voted for his party. He stresses the importance of including voices from various regions, especially Jammu, which has significant representation from other parties like the BJP.
• Addressing Local Concerns: His government will focus on local issues such as job protection laws and land rights, particularly in light of recent changes that allow outsiders to acquire land in Jammu and Kashmir.

4) Political Stability and Governance

• Responsibility to Voters: Abdullah acknowledges the responsibility that comes with electoral victory, emphasising that his administration must work diligently to meet the expectations of voters who have shown their trust in the NC-Congress alliance.
• Navigating New Realities: As Chief Minister in a Union Territory, Abdullah will need to adapt to diminished powers compared to previous state leadership roles, working closely with the Lieutenant Governor while addressing political and economic challenges.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion