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Firdous Ahmad
Srinagar, October 23: The long-awaited expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers is likely to take place on October 25, with the return of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expected to clear a key hurdle in the process, according to the latest developments surrounding the proposed reshuffle.
The expansion has been pending for months, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah previously indicating that a decision would be taken after consultations with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
Farooq Abdullah said on October 19 that the expansion had been delayed because the Lieutenant Governor was unwell and away from the Union Territory. He indicated that the exercise would take place after Sinha returned. However, the government has yet to formally announce October 25 as the date for the induction of new ministers.
The proposed expansion assumes significance as the National Conference-led government completed two years in office on October 16 without making any changes to its original Council of Ministers.
Three ministerial berths vacant
The Council of Ministers currently comprises six members: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, and ministers Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.
Under the applicable legal framework, the Council of Ministers in Jammu and Kashmir can have a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister. This leaves room for three additional ministers.
The expansion could provide an opportunity to address regional and political representation within the ruling National Conference, besides redistributing administrative responsibilities among ministers.
However, the names of prospective inductees and the possibility of a wider portfolio reshuffle remain unconfirmed. The Chief Minister is expected to consult senior party leadership before finalising the composition of the expanded Council.
Congress position remains a factor
The position of the Congress, which contested the 2024 Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference but continues to support the government from outside, remains another political consideration.
The Congress has maintained that it will not join the government until full statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
The proposed expansion is also being watched in the context of the administrative workload on existing ministers and demands for broader representation in the Union Territory’s government.
While October 25 has emerged as a possible date amid renewed speculation, a formal announcement is still awaited. The Lieutenant Governor’s role in the appointment and swearing-in process makes the next official steps particularly significant.
For now, the anticipated expansion remains a closely watched political development, with the final date, names of new ministers and any changes in portfolios dependent on an official decision.
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