SRINAGAR: The much-awaited expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers is expected to take place once Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha returns to the region. National Conference president Farooq Abdullah stated on Monday that the cabinet reshuffle would proceed following the Lieutenant Governor’s return, indicating that Sinha’s absence had been a factor in the delay.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Abdullah made these remarks in Budgam district. He noted that the Lieutenant Governor had been unwell, and his return would clear the path for governmental changes. The statement comes amidst ongoing speculation about a cabinet expansion, as the National Conference-led administration, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, approached two years in office on October 16 without undertaking a reshuffle.
Sources indicate that the cabinet currently comprises six members, including the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, limits the Council of Ministers to a maximum of nine members, reflecting 10% of the 90-member Legislative Assembly. This leaves room for three additional inductions. The National Conference has been considering filling these vacancies, with discussions involving new faces and potential shifts in portfolios. Senior party leaders have been actively lobbying for ministerial positions.
Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has been mentioned as a strong contender for a cabinet role, with speculation suggesting he might be assigned the finance portfolio. However, any such move would necessitate his resignation as Speaker, with National Conference leader Mubarak Gul reportedly being considered as his successor.
The coalition partner, Congress, has maintained its stance of supporting the government from the outside until the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Despite offers from the National Conference for a cabinet berth, the Congress party has declined executive positions, prioritizing the restoration of statehood as their primary objective.
This impending cabinet expansion is seen as a move to balance regional representation within Jammu and Kashmir and to manage internal party dynamics. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had previously hinted at the possibility of an expansion following the conclusion of the Assembly session and consultations with party leadership, including his father, Farooq Abdullah. The process has been discussed in light of the government’s approaching two-year mark in office since assuming power in October 2024.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has recently refuted claims of ministers tendering their resignations, stating that no such actions have occurred. The political landscape indicates a deliberate approach by the National Conference leadership to address a restless electorate and accommodate deserving legislators.
The expansion is expected to be a delicate balancing act for the Chief Minister and the National Conference leadership, given the aspirations of several party MLAs for ministerial berths. The specific timeline for the expansion remains contingent on the Lieutenant Governor’s return and the final consultations within the party leadership.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
