Srinagar, Oct 26: In a major political development, four new ministers are set to join the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers, while one incumbent minister will be dropped as the much-awaited cabinet expansion and reshuffle has been finalised, highly placed sources privy to the developments told Kashmir News Service (KNS) on Monday.
The new ministers are scheduled to take oath at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on Tuesday at 10:30 am.
The development follows intense political consultations over the composition of the ministry, including a final attempt by the Chief Minister on Monday evening to secure the participation of the Congress, which has remained outside the government despite being an alliance partner.
As reported exclusively by KNS, Omar Abdullah personally contacted Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra to seek the party’s final decision on accepting a cabinet berth.
Karra declined the offer, reiterating that the Congress would not join the ministry until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood was restored. He also conveyed that the Chief Minister could proceed to fill the berth reserved for the party.
The Congress’s refusal cleared the remaining political uncertainty surrounding its participation in the expansion, allowing the Chief Minister to proceed with the finalised ministerial changes.
The cabinet expansion has been under discussion for several months, with questions of regional representation, seniority and accommodation of party legislators figuring prominently in political deliberations.
The Omar Abdullah government was formed in October 2024 with a smaller Council of Ministers, leaving several positions vacant for subsequent expansion.
With the induction of four ministers and the exit of one incumbent, the ministry will reach its maximum permissible strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister.
The reshuffle comes as the National Conference-led government enters its third year in office, with the new ministerial composition set to shape its next phase of governance. (KNS)