CM Omar Abdullah appealed to his party colleagues and MLAs not to approach him or National Conference president Farooq Abdullah seeking ministerial berths, saying the list has already been finalised.
Omar Abdullah discussed the planned Cabinet expansion with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. (Photo: PTI)
Srinagar,Oct 24, 2026 12:53 IST
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the expansion and reshuffle of his council of ministers would take place in the first two to three days of next week, adding that the list of ministers had already been finalised after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan on Saturday morning, Omar Abdullah said he had sought time from the L-G to carry out the exercise.
"Yes, it (reshuffle) certainly was discussed. I requested time from him for the expansion and told 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.
Abdullah said the Lieutenant Governor would fix a time for the exercise, after which the expansion would take place.
The chief minister also urged party colleagues and MLAs not to approach him or Farooq Abdullah seeking ministerial berths, stressing that the decision had already been made.
"After consultations with Dr. 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. The decision of who will become a minister is not pending; it has already been made. So, I request my colleagues to please be patient," he said.
Appealing to party leaders to refrain from lobbying for positions, Omar Abdullah said he had been receiving numerous messages and phone calls from colleagues seeking ministerial berths. He urged them to wait for the announcement rather than repeatedly contacting him or other senior leaders.
"Please stop sending WhatsApp messages. I am receiving endless, lengthy messages... entire books are being written, sending full biodatas as if I don't know who they are! I already know them and their work," he said.
Emphasising that the exercise would be completed shortly, Abdullah added that the decisions would be implemented within the next two to three days.
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