Omar Abdullah Likely to Reshuffle J&K Cabinet Next Week; Senior Leaders May Return

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to reshuffle his Council of Ministers next week, with senior National Conference (NC) leaders expected to be inducted and first-time MLAs reportedly being kept out of consideration, party sources said on Saturday.

The proposed Cabinet expansion is being finalised by Omar Abdullah in consultation with NC president Farooq Abdullah, according to senior party leaders.

Sources said the Chief Minister was considering bringing back experienced leaders to strengthen governance and supervision rather than elevating newly elected legislators.

Abdul Rahim Rather, the current Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and a senior NC leader, is among those expected to join the Cabinet. He could be assigned the Finance portfolio, which is currently held by Omar Abdullah. Rather had served as Finance Minister for several years during Farooq Abdullah’s tenure as Chief Minister.

Another senior NC leader, Ali Mohammad Sagar, is also expected to be inducted. Sagar has won the Khanyar Assembly seat in Srinagar district seven times. His son, Salman Sagar, represents the Hazratbal constituency.

Other legislators whose names are being considered for ministerial positions include Altaf Kaloo, MLA from Pahalgam; Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, MLA from Gurez; and Ajaz Ahmad Jan, MLA from Poonch.

According to party sources, Omar Abdullah may drop two ministers while inducting five new members. The Council of Ministers currently has six members, including the Chief Minister. Under the applicable limit cited in the source, Jammu and Kashmir can have nine members in its Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Mubarak Gul, a six-time MLA representing Eidgah, is being discussed as a possible candidate for Speaker of the Assembly.

Omar Abdullah had offered the Congress a Cabinet berth, but Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra said the party would continue supporting the NC government without joining the Cabinet until statehood is restored.

The 90-member Assembly comprises 41 NC MLAs, 29 BJP members, six Congress legislators, four from the PDP and one each from the CPI(M), Peoples Conference, Aam Aadmi Party and Awami Ittehad Party, along with six Independents. Four Independents are supporting the NC government.