Examiner Bureau | Jammu:
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday dismissed reports that ministers had been asked to resign ahead of a possible cabinet expansion, asserting that no such instruction had been issued.
Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at Kali Mata Mandir in Bahu Fort on the first day of Navratra, Choudhary rejected claims that all ministers had submitted their resignations to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in anticipation of a cabinet reshuffle.
“As the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, I am standing here at the feet of Mata and making it clear that no minister has been asked to resign,” he said.
Choudhary said the final decision on any proposed changes to the Council of Ministers would rest with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Those selected for induction would join the government, while those chosen to be dropped would have to leave, he said.
He also urged media organisations not to give undue prominence to speculation surrounding the possible cabinet changes.
Referring to developments in New Delhi, the Deputy Chief Minister also mentioned the police action against demonstrators amid the CJP’s planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
