Srinagar, Oct 25: Political heartbeats have begun racing across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the much-awaited Cabinet expansion, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha set to administer the oath of office and secrecy to new ministers on Tuesday, October 27, at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.
The official invitation has confirmed that the oath-taking ceremony will begin at 10:30 am at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium. Invitees have been asked to confirm their participation by 5 pm on October 26 to facilitate security arrangements and have been directed to carry their invitation cards and report at the venue by 10 am.
As preparations gather pace, attention has shifted to the names of the legislators who will make it to the expanded Council of Ministers, with ministerial aspirants and political circles keenly watching the developments.
A police officer said all necessary arrangements, including security and logistical preparations, would be put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the official function.
The expansion comes more than two years after the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) government assumed office in October 2024 following the Assembly elections. The exercise is expected to induct new members into the Council of Ministers and bring changes to the existing ministerial arrangement.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had on Saturday confirmed that the expansion and reshuffle would take place within the first two to three days of the coming week. Speaking to reporters after meeting LG Sinha at Lok Bhavan, Omar said he had requested time from the Lieutenant Governor for the exercise.
The Chief Minister also indicated that the selection of ministers had been finalised after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, while asking party colleagues seeking ministerial positions to stop lobbying.
“After consultations with Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahib, the list has been finalised,” Omar had said, expressing displeasure over repeated phone calls and WhatsApp messages from legislators seeking ministerial berths.
Amid the growing anticipation, National Conference MLA from Hazratbal, Salman Sagar, said the choice of ministers rested solely with the Chief Minister, who had the prerogative to decide whom he wanted to induct into his Council.
Sagar maintained that it was Omar Abdullah’s exclusive decision to award ministerial berths to legislators of his choice, underlining the Chief Minister’s authority to constitute his team and determine the composition of the government.
The formal announcement of Tuesday’s ceremony has now settled the schedule, shifting the political focus to the final composition of the Cabinet and the distribution of portfolios.
The Council of Ministers in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir can have a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister, under the applicable constitutional framework. The expansion is expected to provide an opportunity to accommodate additional legislators while balancing regional representation, seniority and competing political aspirations within the ruling National Conference.
The Congress, which contested the 2024 Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference, has stayed out of the Cabinet over its demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
The allocation of portfolios will be closely watched as the government faces public expectations over employment, development, electricity supply and other pressing issues. The new ministers are expected to take charge of their respective departments following the swearing-in and subsequent allocation of responsibilities.
With the date, time and venue officially confirmed, Monday is expected to witness the final round of preparations at the administrative and security levels, while political circles await the announcement of the names that will join Omar’s ministerial team.
