As National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah took the oath as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on October 16, 2024, his Council of Ministers sparked immediate reactions, particularly from the Chenab Valley, which remains without representation in the new cabinet. Despite Abdullah’s efforts to ensure a balanced representation across the Jammu and Kashmir regions, the exclusion of a minister from Chenab Valley has raised questions about the valley’s future role in the government and development plans.
Chenab Valley, a mountainous region in the Jammu division, comprises districts such as Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban. It has been a focal point for political promises, especially from the NC, which once pledged divisional status for both Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal. However, this commitment was notably absent from the party’s recent manifesto, leaving many residents feeling sidelined in the current political landscape.
A key figure emerging from Chenab Valley is Mehraj Malik, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator from the Doda constituency. Malik defeated BJP candidate Gajay Singh Rana by a margin of over 4,500 votes, securing his place as a representative focused on development—an issue of dire need in the underdeveloped Chenab Valley. Infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment remain pressing concerns for the region, and Malik’s advocacy for these issues has resonated with local voters, which Indian Express have also reported.
Despite his victory and the valley’s strong political presence, Malik has not yet been offered a ministerial post in the NC-led government. This omission has sparked online discussions and appeals from local constituents. One social media user posted, “Many congratulations! Jammu now has its own representative, Satish Sharma, and Poonch-Rajouri has Surinder Choudhary as its representative. We also request that Chenab Valley gets its own representative, Mehraj Malik.”
The call for Malik’s inclusion reflects broader demands for equitable political representation and a focus on regional development. As a legislator committed to Chenab Valley’s progress, Malik is seen as a natural choice to advocate for the region’s interests within the government.
The Chenab Valley has historically been a region of political importance due to its unique demographic composition and strategic location. Yet, in the newly formed government, the valley’s exclusion from ministerial positions has reignited concerns over political marginalization. NC has secured two seats in the Ramban district, and Malik, along with independent legislator Pyare Lal Sharma, has further strengthened the coalition’s foothold in Chenab Valley. Yet, despite this political strength, no representative from the valley has been included in the cabinet as of yet.
This stands in contrast to the NC’s approach towards other regions, such as Jammu and Pir Panjal. The party has visibly made efforts to balance its cabinet by including ministers from both Jammu’s plains and the Kashmir Valley. Satish Sharma from Chamb and Surinder Choudhary from Nowshera represent the Jammu region, and Sakina Yatoo from D.H. Pora along with Javid Dar from Rafiabad represent the Kashmir region.
In his speech during the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the importance of equitable representation, stating, “I fulfilled the promise of giving representation to all the regions equally.” However, the glaring absence of Chenab Valley’s voice in the government has led to questions about whether this promise has been fully realized.
While Abdullah’s government has yet to appoint all 10 ministerial positions, with three more seats to be filled, the question remains whether Chenab Valley will finally receive representation in this next phase. The region’s political leaders, including Malik, have maintained that their priority is the development of Chenab Valley, and Malik’s popularity stems from his focus on addressing these issues.
NC President Farooq Abdullah, speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, reiterated the government’s commitment to treating both Jammu and Kashmir equally, but he did not address specific concerns regarding Chenab Valley. With public pressure mounting and local leaders calling for a fair share of political power, it remains to be seen if the government will respond to these demands.
For now, the people of Chenab Valley remain hopeful that their longstanding issues of development and political recognition will be addressed. As Mehraj Malik continues to push for progress in his constituency, many believe his inclusion in the cabinet would signal a stronger commitment to addressing the needs of this often-overlooked region. Whether Chenab Valley’s call for representation will be answered in the coming days will be a key test of the new government’s promise of regional balance.
The exclusion of Chenab Valley from Omar Abdullah’s initial cabinet appointments has reignited the region’s concerns about political marginalization. While the National Conference has sought to balance representation across Jammu and Kashmir, voices from Chenab Valley, led by AAP legislator Mehraj Malik, continue to call for a greater focus on development and inclusion. As the government moves to fill remaining ministerial posts, all eyes will be on whether this strategically important region will finally be granted the political representation it seeks.
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Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
