Meets LG at Lok Bhavan; 6 new faces likely
Srinagar, Oct 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the expansion and reshuffle of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers would take place next week, urging party colleagues seeking ministerial berths to stop lobbying as the list of ministers had already been finalised.
Omar made the announcement after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, where he also enquired about the latter’s health following his return to the Valley after treatment in New Delhi.
The Chief Minister said the list had been finalised after consultations with National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah. He said he had requested the Lieutenant Governor to fix a time during the first two or three days of next week for the expansion and reshuffle.
In a direct message to ministerial aspirants, Omar urged them to stop calling, sending WhatsApp messages and approaching senior leaders to influence the selection process.
“Do not send me WhatsApp messages. I am receiving so many messages, with people writing long accounts and sending their entire biodata, as if I do not know them. The decision that had to be made has already been made,” he said.
He reiterated that further lobbying would not change the decisions already taken and asked his colleagues to remain patient until the exercise was formally completed.
“Please do not WhatsApp, do not call and do not knock on doors. Whatever has to be done will be done in the next two to three days,” he said.
“First Allah will decide, then we will. Those who are to be appointed will be appointed. I request my colleagues to be patient,” the Chief Minister added.
The meeting with the Lieutenant Governor came a day after Sinha returned to Srinagar following health-related treatment in New Delhi. Omar said he had sought the meeting to enquire about his health and discuss several matters requiring the Lieutenant Governor’s advice.
“There were several matters on which I needed to speak to him and seek his advice. It had been a long time since we met, so I requested time and met him today,” he said.
National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah had last week indicated that the Cabinet expansion would take place after the Lieutenant Governor returned to Srinagar.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has 90 members, and under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Union Territory can have a Council of Ministers comprising up to nine members, including the Chief Minister.
The present Council has five ministers besides Omar, leaving room for three additional ministers. Reports suggest that three existing ministers may be dropped and six new faces inducted, although the Chief Minister did not disclose the names or details of the proposed changes.
Separately, Omar said the government was taking up the issue of Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia with the Ministry of External Affairs and was prepared to provide financial assistance from its own budget, if required.
