SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday urged National Conference colleagues to stop seeking ministerial positions, saying the selection for the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle and expansion had already been completed in consultation with party president Farooq Abdullah.
Omar made the remarks after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, where he sought a schedule for the exercise during the first two or three days of next week.
The Chief Minister said the Lieutenant Governor would decide the timing, after which changes to the Council of Ministers would be carried out.
He said he had been receiving repeated phone calls, WhatsApp messages and detailed biodatas from aspirants seeking a place in the government.
“Please do not send me WhatsApp messages, make phone calls or knock on doors,” Omar said, maintaining that the decision on ministerial appointments had already been taken.
He said the list had been prepared following consultations with Farooq Abdullah and there was no scope for further changes.
Omar asked party colleagues to remain patient, saying those selected for ministerial positions would get their opportunity within the next two or three days.
He also said he had met the Lieutenant Governor to enquire about his health after his return to Srinagar following an illness. The two discussed several other issues, and the Chief Minister sought Sinha’s views on them.
