Congress skips cabinet expansion, renews demand for restoration of full statehood
Srinagar, October 27: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday expanded its Council of Ministers with the induction of four senior National Conference leaders into Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet. The oath-taking ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium. The development marks a significant change in the composition of the National Conference-led government.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived at the venue in the morning, accompanied by members of his team, as guests and dignitaries assembled for the ceremony.
The four leaders inducted into the Council of Ministers are senior National Conference legislators Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo.
The cabinet expansion is aimed at strengthening the government’s administrative functioning and reorganising ministerial responsibilities. The exercise is also expected to involve changes in the distribution of portfolios, with the possibility of some existing ministers being assigned new responsibilities or dropped from the cabinet.
The reshuffle comes as the ruling National Conference seeks to streamline its ministerial team and redefine responsibilities across key departments. The allocation of portfolios is expected to establish the specific roles of the newly inducted ministers and other members of the government.
The development carries political significance amid the continuing debate over the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory continues to operate under its existing constitutional and administrative framework, while statehood remains a major political demand.
Meanwhile, the Congress has opted not to participate in the cabinet expansion, reiterating its demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s full statehood. Despite extending support to the government from outside the cabinet, the party has maintained its decision to remain out of the ministerial arrangement.
The Congress stand underscores the differences between the two parties over the statehood issue, even as the National Conference proceeds with the restructuring of its cabinet.
Details regarding the allocation of portfolios and the formal assumption of charge by the newly inducted ministers are expected to emerge following the completion of the reshuffle.
