NAVVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: In a significant political development in Jammu and Kashmir, the Omar Abdullah-led government will be carrying out a much awaited major Cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, with preparations underway to induct new faces and drop at least two existing ministers. The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy to new ministers in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, October 27, at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, according to an official invitation issued for the ceremony.
The move, aimed at balancing regional representation between Jammu and Kashmir divisions and giving space to new MLAs, has triggered intense political activity, with the final list of ministers expected to be sent to Lok Bhawan by late evening and oath ceremony at Lok Bhawan.
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 am at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium, paving the way for the expansion of the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The invitation has asked attendees to confirm their participation by 5 pm on October 26. Invitees have also been instructed to carry their invitation cards and reach the venue by 10 am to facilitate security arrangements. The expansion comes more than two years after the Omar Abdullah-led government took office in October 2024.
At present, the six-member cabinet includes- Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary Deputy CM, Sakeena Itoo, Javid Ahmad Dar, Javid Ahmad Rana, Satish Sharma (Independent MLA from Chhamb, supporting NC). Out of the six, three are from Jammu region including Surinder Choudhary, Javid Rana, Satish Sharma and three from Kashmir region Omar Abdullah, Sakeena Itoo and Javid Dar.
Five senior NC legislators are likely to be inducted into the Cabinet, while two sitting ministers including Satish Sharma may be dropped, sources said. However, no confirmed information is available about the identity of the second minister, possible reasons for dropping both, and the government’s decision in this regard. As such, talk of dropping two ministers is being seen only as a possible development for now.
The expansion would bring the Council of Ministers to its maximum permitted strength eight, including the Chief minister with one berth to remain vacant for the alliance partner Congress. The Congress has refused to join the government until statehood is restored, although it continues to support the government from outside.
Sources said two existing ministers are likely to be dropped, with at least one from Jammu division. However, there is no official confirmation yet about the names and reasons. The five senior legislators likely to be inducted are Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Nazir Gurezi, Altaf Kalloo and Aijaz Jan. Rather, who is currently the Assembly Speaker, is expected to vacate the post, with senior NC leader Mubarak Gul reportedly being considered as his successor.
Existing ministers retained by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Council of Ministers will not need to take oath again. Allocation of portfolios is likely after the oath ceremony. Special focus is being discussed on maintaining regional balance between Jammu and Kashmir divisions in the likely reshuffle. Besides Ramban and Poonch in Jammu division, areas including Anantnag, Central Kashmir and North Kashmir in Kashmir division are likely to get representation in the Cabinet. In political circles, MLAs from Ramban and Anantnag are being discussed for induction. New faces from other areas of Kashmir may also get a chance.
The proposed changes are not likely to be limited to appointment of new ministers only. Portfolios of existing ministers may also be reshuffled. Some ministers may be given new departments, while important portfolios may be given to new inductees. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah may take a decision on allocation of portfolios after the oath ceremony. Information about final distribution of departments will come only after formal announcement by the government.
It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister has already said the list is final. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said on Saturday that the list of ministers has been finalized after consultation with National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah. He had also appealed to party colleagues to refrain from lobbying for ministerial berths.
According to provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, total number of members in Council of Ministers including Chief Minister cannot exceed 10 percent of total strength of Legislative Assembly. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has 90 elected seats. On this basis, maximum nine members including Chief Minister can be in Council of Ministers.
Meanwhile, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra today said that Congress entered into pre poll alliance with NC for a larger cause to keep BJP out of power in J&K. Addressing a gathering at Vijaypur, Karra said that Congress was aware of the electoral machinations and tactics of BJP, which have come out open now regarding vote chori through a compromised CEC, so it entered into pre poll alliance against the feelings of party workers . Congress has always sacrificed it’s party interests in the larger interests of Nation as BJP’s policies are detrimental to the secular and pluralistic character of our country.
Karra also said the party would not join the Union Territory’s Council of Ministers until statehood is restored, asserting that it would not compromise its principled stand for a Cabinet berth.
“We have a movement going on—not just today, but for the last two years, ever since the government was formed, and even before that—that until the statehood status of Jammu and Kashmir is restored as a state, we will not become part of the Cabinet. Even now, the entire Congress party stands firm on this,” he said.
He said the party had organised several protests and programmes to press for the restoration of statehood, including ‘Srinagar Chalo’, ‘Jammu Chalo’ and ‘Delhi Chalo’ demonstrations.
The Congress had also held hunger strikes across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir and organised programmes at the district level, Karra said, adding that the party’s campaign had received acknowledgment from its central leadership
