Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to undertake the first major Cabinet reshuffle of his government next week, with five senior National Conference (NC) leaders expected to be inducted as Ministers and two incumbent Ministers likely to be dropped, according to political sources.
The proposed expansion is expected to take place in Srinagar as the Omar Abdullah-led government approaches the completion of its second year in office on October 16.
Sources said the party leadership is considering experienced legislators for ministerial positions and is unlikely to induct first-time MLAs. The proposed exercise is aimed at restructuring the Council of Ministers within the prescribed constitutional limit.
Five senior NC leaders reportedly under consideration for induction are Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Altaf Ahmad Kaloo and Aijaz Jan.
Rather, who represents Chrar-i-Sharief, and Sagar, the MLA from Khanyar, are seven-time legislators. Gurezi represents Gurez and is a fourth-time MLA, while Kaloo from Pahalgam and Aijaz Jan from Poonch are second-time legislators.
Four of the probable inductees represent constituencies in the Kashmir Valley, while Aijaz Jan represents the Jammu region. The proposed selections would bring substantial legislative experience into the Cabinet, although the final appointments remain subject to an official announcement.
As part of the proposed restructuring, two sitting Ministers are likely to be dropped to accommodate new inductees, sources said.
The sources claimed that the process of obtaining resignations from existing Ministers had been initiated. However, the identities of the Ministers likely to be dropped and the status of any formal resignation or acceptance remain to be officially confirmed.
The current Council of Ministers comprises the Chief Minister and five Ministers, with representation from both the Jammu and Kashmir regions.
The proposed Cabinet expansion could also lead to a change in the leadership of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Abdul Rahim Rather is reportedly expected to step down as Speaker before joining the Council of Ministers. National Conference veteran Mubarak Gul is being considered as a possible successor, according to sources.
Gul has previously served as Speaker of the Assembly. If the proposed arrangement materialises, Rather would return to the executive, while Gul could assume responsibility for presiding over the House.
Neither the proposed change in the Speaker’s position nor the possible successor has been officially confirmed.
The Congress party is unlikely to join the Omar Abdullah-led government as part of the proposed reshuffle, sources said, indicating that it intends to maintain its position until statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
Although the National Conference and Congress contested the 2024 Assembly elections in alliance, Congress did not join the government after the elections and has continued to support it from outside.
The NC leadership has also reportedly decided against inducting Independent MLAs into the Ministry, keeping the proposed expansion focused on senior party legislators.
The swearing-in ceremony for any newly inducted Ministers is expected to be held in Srinagar, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha would administer the oath of office and secrecy.
The government may also redistribute portfolios following the induction as part of the broader administrative and political restructuring.
Talk of a Cabinet reshuffle has been continuing for several months. Omar Abdullah had recently indicated that the exercise would take place after the GST Council meeting in New Delhi, which concluded on October 9.
If carried out, the proposed changes would mark the first major restructuring of the Council of Ministers since the Omar Abdullah government assumed office in October 2024.
The proposed inductions, removal of Ministers and possible change in the Assembly Speaker’s position remain subject to official confirmation.
