Politics · India Bureau
J&K CM Omar Abdullah to expand cabinet next week
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced Saturday that his cabinet expansion and ministerial reshuffle will proceed in the first two to three days of the coming week. The exercise has been cleared with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha following their meeting at Lok Bhawan.
LSN India ·
Omar Abdullah confirmed that cabinet changes have already been discussed with the Lieutenant Governor, who will formally schedule the timing for the ministerial appointments. "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," Abdullah told reporters on Saturday.
The Chief Minister indicated that the Lieutenant Governor would set the exact date for proceeding with the expansion once both parties coordinate on the schedule. This marks a significant development in the administration's organisational structure following Abdullah's recent assumption of office in Jammu and Kashmir.
In an appeal to National Conference legislators and party members, Abdullah urged them to refrain from approaching him or NC president Farooq Abdullah to stake claims for ministerial positions. He stressed that the final list of candidates for ministerial roles has already been determined following consultations with the senior party leadership.
The cabinet expansion comes as the regional administration seeks to establish its full ministerial complement and distribute portfolios among coalition partners and party members.