Cabinet rejig signal after Omar Abdullah meets Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor

The long-awaited maiden cabinet expansion and reshuffle in the Omar Abdullah government is likely in a few days, with the chief minister calling on lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday to discuss the issue.

Ally Congress reiterated its decision not to join the government until its concerns over statehood and constitutional safeguards for Jammu and Kashmir were addressed.

The expansion and reshuffle are expected at a time the Union home ministry announced the appointment of Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir from November 1. Yadav will succeed Atal Dulloo, a local and a Kashmiri Pandit.

The prolonged delay in cabinet expansion and reshuffling has been a source of intense political speculation, with the BJP alleging that the elected government was reluctant to risk a rupture within the National Conference by accommodating competing ministerial aspirants.

Omar, however, cited the constraints of the Union Territory status, including the cap on the size of the council of ministers, as a limitation on political representation.

“Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri @OmarAbdullah called on Lieutenant Governor, Shri @manojsinha_.@CM_JnK,” the LG’s office posted on X, showing Sinha accepting a bouquet from Omar.

Omar later told reporters that he had sought time from the LG for the reshuffle and expansion.

“Yes, it certainly was (discussed). I requested time from him for the expansion and asked him that in the first two to three days of next week, I will carry out the expansion and certain changes in my council of ministers,” he said.

Omar, who expects discontent in the NC over the reshuffle, urged partymen not to approach him or NC president Farooq Abdullah for ministerial berths, saying the list has already been finalised after consultations.

“After consultations with Farooq Abdullah Sahib, the list has been finalised. There is no need to knock on Farooq Sahib’s door, my door, or anyone else’s door,” he said.

“I will request my friends to please stop sending WhatsApp messages to me... Whatever has to happen will take place in the next two to three days,” Omar said.

The chief minister said he also wanted to meet the LG to inquire about his health.

“The LG Sahib has returned to Srinagar after quite a few days. In between, his health wasn’t very well, so I wanted to inquire about his well-being,” he said.