Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister designate of Jammu and Kashmir, shall take charge along with a few Ministers from the National Conference and the Congress, before January 6, after the understanding reached between them.

This was announced after a meeting with the Congress at External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee’s office. Mr. Abdullah, accompanied by the Pradesh Congress Committee President, Saifuddin Soz and party in-charge of J&K, Prithviraj Chavan, said that he shall take the oath along with two National Conference members.

And he also asked the Congress to suggest three names who would take the oath on the same day.

Mr. Abdullah further announced that the National Conference shall extend its coalition arrangement with the Congress to the Centre and shall be a part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

The National Conference will formally write to the presiding officers of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to inform them about his party’s decision.

Mr. Abdullah said that he wanted to take charge after Muharram but the Constitutional requirement to revoke President’s Rule before a certain date has necessitated an early formation of the government.

It has also been indicated by the Governor that the State should be represented at the Chief Ministers’ , called by the Centre on January 6, to discuss the internal security in the country.

Mr. Abdullah said that he was fully satisfied with the way the coalition was shaping up. The issue of Deputy Chief Minister is yet to be resolved and the Congress desires it to be given to someone from Jammu.

Mr. Abdullah flew to the Capital this evening for the meeting and is expected to  return to Srinagar on Friday morning.

Four senior National Conference leaders accompanied him, besides Mr. Mukherjee, Mr. Soz and Mr. Chavan. The Congress team included Defence Minister A. K. Antony, the former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s Political Secretary Ahmed Patel.

Within the Congress the rotational arrangement, as it had with the People’s Democratic Party for the last six years, was not favoured but the senior party leaders maintained that the option was  open.

The Jammu and Kashmir Constitution allows 24 Ministers in the state.

The two parties are required to agree on the portfolio allocation and also the number of Ministers that each side will have.

The key issue is the nomination of the presiding officers of the bicameral legislature.

Usually, if the leading party r in the coalition becomes the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, the post of Chairman of the Legislative Council is given to the other party.

Both sides have decided to work to a common minimum programme.

Mr. Chavan, meanwhile has welcomed the National Conference’s offer to join the UPA.  

However, party leaders consider that PDP may exit from the UPA as it would be difficult for the two J&K-based parties to come together .