Who is Omar Abdullah? Exploring the Life, Love, and Political Journey of Jammu and Kashmir's New CM
 

Political Comeback:

At 54, Omar Abdullah has made a significant return to power after his party, the National Conference, won 42 out of 95 seats in the recent assembly elections, paving the way for his second term. His political journey began in earnest back in 1998 when he entered active politics and has since been a prominent figure in Jammu and Kashmir's political landscape.

Early Life and Education:

Born on March 10, 1970, in Rochford, England, Omar was educated at Burn Hall School in Srinagar and later attended the prestigious Lawrence School in Himachal Pradesh. He graduated from Siddharth College in Mumbai and went on to earn a postgraduate degree from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. Following his education, he briefly worked before stepping into politics, carrying forward his family's legacy.

A Twist in Love:

Omar's personal life adds another layer of intrigue to his story. He married Payal Nath in September 1994, who hails from a Sikh family. Her father was a Major General in the Indian Army, and the family originally came from Lahore but settled in Delhi after the partition. Interestingly, Omar and Payal met while both worked at the Oberoi Hotel in Delhi during the '90s. Despite initial opposition from certain sections of Kashmiri Pandits, they tied the knot and have two sons, Zaheer and Jameer, who are both pursuing law degrees.

Struggles in Marriage:

However, the couple's relationship has faced significant challenges, leading to their ongoing divorce proceedings. Reports suggest they've been living separately since 2011, with speculation about their relationship deteriorating after Omar became actively involved in politics post-2005. Currently residing in Delhi, Payal runs a travel and water packaging business.