Click to play videoJammu: National Conference President Omar Abdullah is all set to be the youngest chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He will be sworn in as the chief minister on Monday.
Omar is the young face of Jammu and Kashmir and is wildly popular among his followers. The youth of the state in particular have high expectations from him.
“Unemployment is not the issue here, the issue is much bigger than that,” says a student.
At Jammu and Kashmir University, students have started discussing the next Chief Minister. From generating jobs, to resolving the Kashmir issue, they want Abdullah junior to deliver everything fast.
“Corruption should be high on the agenda. Tainted ministers have no berth in the cabinet,” says another student Adil Masood.
“He understands the needs of Kashmiris, of Kashmiri pandits, Hindus and Muslims, of people in Kashmir and in Jammu region,” adds a Jammu University student Manik Arora.
In a state which was bitterly polarised for several months, the biggest challenge for Omar perhaps will be to bridge the divides and be a Chief Minister of all the regions in the state.
Sources reveal that Abdullah's priority is setting up a Truth and Reconcilation Commission along the lines of South Africa, headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.
He talks of ushering autonomy in the state, facilitating dialogue between New Delhi and separatists and ensuring equitable development for all regions.
“Challenge of healing not only the wounds of seven months agitation but 20 years of militancy because of my age expectation is much higher. I hope I can deliver,” says Omar.
But the youngest-ever Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir faces an enormous burden of expectation especially from the youth who want him to deliver. So Omar's litmus test starts from the moment he is sworn in for the top post.
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