SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to undertake the first major Cabinet reshuffle of his government next week, with five senior National Conference (NC) leaders expected to be inducted as Ministers and two incumbent Ministers likely to be dropped, according to political sources.
The proposed expansion is expected to take place in Srinagar as the Omar Abdullah-led government approaches the completion of its second year in office on October 16.
Sources indicate that the Cabinet expansion will focus on experienced legislators, with the party leadership reportedly deciding against inducting first-time MLAs. The proposed changes are expected to bring the Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister.
Under the applicable constitutional framework, the strength of the Council of Ministers in Jammu and Kashmir cannot exceed 10 per cent of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly. With 90 elected members, the maximum permissible strength is nine Ministers, including the Chief Minister.
Five Senior NC Leaders Likely to Enter Cabinet
Five senior National Conference leaders whose names are reportedly under consideration for ministerial positions are Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and Aijaz Jan.
Rather, who represents the Chrar-i-Sharief Assembly constituency, and Sagar, the MLA from Khanyar, are seven-time legislators. Gurezi, who represents the Gurez constituency, is a fourth-time MLA, while Kaloo from Pahalgam and Aijaz Jan from Poonch are second-time legislators.
Four of the five probable inductees represent constituencies in the Kashmir Valley, while Aijaz Jan represents the Jammu region.
The proposed selection is understood to reflect the party leadership’s preference for seniority, legislative experience and political representation in the Cabinet.
Two Ministers May Be Dropped
As part of the proposed restructuring, two sitting Ministers are likely to be removed from the Council of Ministers to accommodate the new inductees within the prescribed limit.
According to sources, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already obtained resignations from the five existing Ministers, with the formal process for the proposed changes expected to be completed ahead of the reshuffle.
The resignations of the two Ministers identified for removal are expected to be forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for acceptance.
The current Cabinet comprises the Chief Minister and five Ministers, with representation from both the Jammu and Kashmir regions.
Mubarak Gul May Become New Assembly Speaker
The Cabinet expansion is also expected to trigger a change in the leadership of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Abdul Rahim Rather is likely to step down as Speaker before joining the Council of Ministers. National Conference veteran Mubarak Gul is reportedly being considered as his successor.
Gul, one of the senior-most legislators of the ruling party, has previously served as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
If the proposed arrangement materialises, the change would allow Rather to return to the executive while Gul assumes responsibility for presiding over the House.
Congress Maintains Distance From Government
The Congress party is unlikely to join the Omar Abdullah-led government in the proposed reshuffle, with sources indicating that it intends to maintain its position until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored.
Although the National Conference and Congress contested the 2024 Assembly elections in alliance, Congress chose not to become part of the government after the elections and has continued to extend support from outside.
The National Conference leadership has also reportedly decided against inducting Independent MLAs into the Ministry, keeping the proposed expansion focused on its own senior legislators.
Oath Ceremony Expected in Srinagar
The swearing-in ceremony for the new Ministers is expected to be held in Srinagar, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy.
Following the induction, the government is also likely to redistribute portfolios among Ministers as part of the broader administrative and political restructuring.
Talks of a Cabinet reshuffle have been continuing for several months. Omar Abdullah had recently indicated that the exercise would take place after the GST Council meeting in New Delhi, which concluded on October 9.
The proposed reshuffle would mark the first major restructuring of the Council of Ministers since the Omar Abdullah government assumed office in October 2024.
It is important to note that the proposed inductions, removal of Ministers and change in the Speaker’s position remain subject to official confirmation. (KNC)
