Four New faces join Omar Abdullah cabinet as J&K Government Undergoes Reshuffle

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday began a significant restructuring of its Council of Ministers, with four National Conference leaders set to join Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet during an oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is administering the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium, marking a major political development for the National Conference-led government.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by members of his team, reached the venue earlier in the morning as guests and invitees gathered for the ceremony.

Senior National Conference leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kalloo are among the four legislators being inducted into the Council of Ministers as part of the cabinet expansion.

The reshuffle is aimed at reorganising the government’s ministerial team and strengthening its administrative and political functioning. Changes in the existing cabinet, including the possible exit of some ministers and redistribution of portfolios, are also part of the wider exercise.

The latest restructuring comes amid efforts by the ruling National Conference to recalibrate its ministerial arrangement and assign responsibilities within the government. The allocation of portfolios is expected to clarify the roles of the newly inducted ministers and other members of the Council of Ministers.

The cabinet exercise is also politically significant as the government continues to function under the existing constitutional and administrative framework of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with the restoration of full statehood remaining a major issue in the political discourse.

Meanwhile, the Congress party has decided to stay out of the cabinet expansion, reiterating that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood remains a key demand. The party has maintained its position despite its support to the government from outside the cabinet.

The Congress decision highlights the continuing differences over the statehood issue, even as the National Conference moves ahead with changes to its ministerial team.

Further details regarding the final composition of the cabinet, the formal assumption of charge by the new ministers and the allocation of portfolios are awaited.(KNC)