Srinagar, October 24 — The expansion and reshuffle of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers is likely to take place next week, with the selection of ministers understood to have been finalised following consultations within the National Conference leadership, Kashmir News Trust (KNT) reported on Saturday. Speaking to reporters after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the decision had already been taken and urged aspirants to stop lobbying. 'The decision that had to be made has been made. Now please do not WhatsApp, do not call, do not knock on the door. Whatever has to be done will be done in the next two to three days,' he said, according to KNT.
Source: Kashmir News Trust (KNT)
PTI separately reported on Saturday that the Jammu and Kashmir council of ministers expansion and reshuffle will take place next week, attributing the timeline to the Chief Minister. A day earlier, Kashmir News Service (KNS) had reported that Omar Abdullah was likely to meet the Lieutenant Governor on Saturday with cabinet expansion on the agenda, and that the exercise could follow within three to four days of the meeting, subject to consultations and formalities.
Source: PTI via Dailyworld
Omar Abdullah said he had been receiving numerous WhatsApp messages from party colleagues sending lengthy biodata in the hope of securing ministerial positions, and made clear that repeated calls, messages and personal approaches would not influence a decision that had already been taken, KNT reported. He said the file is with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Source: Kashmir News Trust (KNT)
The Chief Minister said he had sought time for the expansion and that the Lieutenant Governor would decide the date, so the formal process is expected to proceed once the necessary arrangements and constitutional formalities are completed, KNT reported. The proposed exercise is expected to bring new faces into the council and may also involve changes in portfolios. The names of the prospective ministers have not been officially announced.
Source: Kashmir News Trust (KNT)
The Omar Abdullah government has been functioning with its existing ministerial strength since assuming office in October 2024, with several ministers holding multiple portfolios, KNS reported. The Congress, which supports the National Conference government from outside, has maintained that it will not join the ministry until Jammu and Kashmir's statehood is restored.