Srinagar, Aug 15 (PTI) — In a significant event on Friday, Omar Abdullah became the first elected chief minister in eight years to unfurl the national flag at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. He presided over the main Independence Day function in the region. Mehbooba Mufti, president of the PDP (People's Democratic Party), was the last chief minister to lead the Independence Day celebration here in 2017. The political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir changed dramatically when the PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed after the BJP pulled its support in June 2018. This action led to the imposition of Governor's rule in the former state. Following the significant constitutional change in August 2019, when Article 370—which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir—was read down, the state was reorganized into two union territories. During the transitional period of 2018 and 2019, the Governor unfurled the national flag on both Independence and Republic Days. From 2020 to 2024, the Lieutenant Governor carried out this ceremonial role. Recent assembly elections at the end of last year marked a shift in the region's political environment. These elections led Abdullah to become the first chief minister of the newly formed union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. At Bakshi Stadium, Abdullah was honoured with a guard of honour before inspecting the contingents participating in the parade. He took the salute as various wings of the Jammu and Kashmir police, Central Armed Paramilitary Forces, and school children passed by the podium. In other places within the union territory, Abdullah's cabinet colleagues took charge of the Independence Day celebrations in the winter capital, Jammu, and other key district headquarters. The cultural programme set to be a highlight of the celebrations was cancelled this year as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Kishtwar flash floods on Thursday.
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