Srinagar,: The much-awaited expansion and reshuffle of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers is likely to take place before the annual Darbar Move, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s return to Srinagar on Thursday setting the stage for the exercise.
According to sources, discussions between National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have already taken place, and a decision on the likely new faces to be inducted into the Cabinet has reportedly been reached.
Sources said the Chief Minister is expected to formally approach the Lieutenant Governor’s office shortly to seek an appointment and finalise a suitable date for the proposed expansion and reshuffle.
The development comes days after Farooq Abdullah indicated that the government was awaiting the Lieutenant Governor’s return to Jammu and Kashmir before moving ahead with the Cabinet exercise.
Sources said LG Sinha arrived in Srinagar on Thursday afternoon, following which the process of finalising the Cabinet expansion could gather momentum.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also earlier indicated that the reshuffle and expansion would be undertaken soon after a suitable date was finalised.
The proposed exercise is expected to bring new faces into the Council of Ministers, besides possible changes in existing portfolios.
However, no official date has been announced so far, and the final schedule will depend on consultations between the Chief Minister and the Lieutenant Governor’s office.
