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On June 23rd, Omar Abdullah would be stepping into the shoes of his father Dr Farooq Abdullah and grandfather late Sheikh Abdullah when his 'election' to the presidency of the National Conference (NC) would be formalised at a special session of the ruling party, in Srinagar.
"It gives the impression of a democratic transition of power, but the fact is that father would be handing down the mantle to the son, like it happened three decades back," says Irshad Ahmad, a college lecturer.
The organizers of Sunday's function have left no stone unturned to make it 'a historical event'.
A few years back, Omar Abdullah would never have imagined that his elevation to the highest office in the ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir would be so swift.
He had originally intended a career in hotel management and his father, Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, also believed that 'Omar is too decent and polite to handle the tempestuous world of politics'.
"But, slowly and surely, Omar has grown into an excellent public speaker. His stint as Union minister of state for external affairs has provided him the right exposure. He has handled the media brilliantly and made a good impression during panel discussions," says a senior ruling party leader.
"He is more cool, more composed and more focused than his father," says a political observer.
But that does not mean it is going to be smooth sailing for the debonair successor to the seventy-year-old Sheikh legacy.
"Show me you can run this state without hiccups for six months and I shall accept your political acumen. I have failed to do that," a frustrated Farooq is reported to have said recently (to no one in particular).
While age is on his side, it is both an asset and a liability. Omar is younger than even the youngest minister in his father's cabinet.
It is a plus point because he carries no baggage from the past, and a liability because he would be 'like a pigeon among cats', says a keen Kashmir watcher.
Considering his background, direct handling the state would be a tough task for the completely Westernized Omar - his mother is Irish, his wife a Hindu.
Omar's first challenge will be the senior leaders in the party, who had nurtured hopes of succeeding Farooq some day.
Most of them are well entrenched in the state cabinet.
Another will be gaining the confidence of the people.
Omar, who represents the prestigious Srinagar-Badgam seat in Parliament, is still to fulfill the novel promise he made to his voters in 1998.
If they elected him, he would learn the local lingo, Omar had said.
That was four years ago. "He is at his best in just one language - English," says a close friend.
The inability to communicate with the people in the local lingo will only add to his problems.
The glitter of his coronation ceremony this Sunday is sure to give way to tougher times and moments of frustration for the youthful leader.
More reports on Jammu and Kashmir
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