Danishwar Hameed
Today, after six years of direct central rule, a local Chief Minister is taking the oath of office, marking a significant moment for the region. Mr. Abdullah takes over as Chief Minister for a second term and is the third generation of the Abdullah family to occupy the office—after his grandfather Sheikh Abdullah and father Farooq Abdullah.
L-G Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Abdullah at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC). Five ministers were also sworn in, including National Conference MLA from Mendhar Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar from Rafiabad, Sakeena Itoo from Damhal Hanjipora, and Surinder Kumar Chowdhary. Additionally, Independent MLA from the Chhamb Assembly seat, Satish Sharma, secured a position in the Omar Abdullah-led cabinet.
On the stage stands only one female leader—Sakeena Itoo, the NC powerhouse leader from Damhal in Kulgam.
Recently, she clinched the Damhal Hanjipora seat for the National Conference (NC) with an impressive 17,000 votes. Her influence, however, extends far beyond her constituency, making her a formidable figure in nearby areas like Devsar in Kulgam. “It is a red letter day. A new government is coming after 6.5 years. May God give strength to Omar Abdullah to raise people’s voice,” National Conference (NC) spokesman Imran Nabi Dar remarked.
Celebrations have begun across Damhal belt of Kulgam as the favourite of the area, Sakeena Itoo took oath among the council of Ministers.
Born on December 5, 1970, in Kulgam, Jammu Kashmir, Sakeena Itoo has made a remarkable impact on the political landscape of the region. As the only woman to serve in Omar Abdullah’s cabinet during his tenure as Chief Minister in 2008, Itoo has held various ministerial positions, including Cabinet Minister for Social Welfare, Education, Tourism, Floriculture, Public Works, and Public Health Engineering.
Her political journey began at a young age; she became the youngest member of the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly when she won her first election at just 26 years old in 1996. Recognized for her dedication to her constituency, Itoo received the “Best MLA Award” in 2012 for her outstanding contributions.
Itoo’s path to politics was shaped by personal tragedy. Born to Wali Mohammad Itoo, the Speaker of the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly, she completed her intermediate education in 1991. Initially pursuing a medical degree, she left her MBBS studies midway after the tragic killing of her father in 1994, prompting her entry into politics.
Throughout her career, Itoo has served in several key roles, including Deputy Minister for Education in 1996, State Minister for Social Welfare, and Minister of Tourism until 2002. After a setback in the 2002 assembly elections, she was nominated as a Member of the Legislative Council by her party in 2004.
Itoo’s political career has not been without controversy. During the 2014 state assembly election campaign, a video surfaced showing her urging an elderly voter to support her in the name of Allah, sparking criticism and claims of violating the Model Code of Conduct. However, both Omar Abdullah and the National Conference defended her during this incident.
Her recent return to the cabinet underscores her enduring influence and commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.