The proposed expansion is expected to take the strength of the Council of Ministers to its maximum permissible limit of nine, including the Chief Minister, in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
According to the report, the National Conference leadership has decided to give preference to senior leaders, with no first-time legislator likely to be inducted into the Cabinet.
Five National Conference leaders reportedly under consideration for induction are Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Nazir Gurezi, Altaf Kalloo and Aijaz Jan.
Rather, a seven-time MLA representing Charar-e-Sharief, is currently serving as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Ali Mohammad Sagar, also a seven-time legislator, represents Khanyar. Nazir Gurezi represents Gurez, while Altaf Kalloo represents Pahalgam and Aijaz Jan represents Poonch.
Four of the proposed inductees represent constituencies in Kashmir division, while Aijaz Jan represents the Jammu region.
Rather is expected to resign as Assembly Speaker ahead of the proposed Cabinet expansion. The name of senior National Conference leader Mubarak Gul, including MLA from north Kashmir Mir Safiullah, are reportedly under consideration for the post.
The report further said that the National Conference leadership has decided against inducting any Independent MLA into the Ministry.
Two sitting Ministers are likely to be dropped to accommodate the new inductees and maintain the Council of Ministers at the prescribed strength. The resignations of the Ministers to be dropped are expected to be forwarded to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for acceptance.
The oath-taking ceremony is likely to be held in Srinagar, where the Lieutenant Governor will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new Ministers. A reshuffle of portfolios is also expected following the induction.
At present, Omar Abdullah heads a six-member Council of Ministers, including himself, with three Ministers each from Jammu and Kashmir divisions, as per the report.
The Congress, which contested the 2024 Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference, has stayed out of the government while extending support from outside. The party has maintained that it will not join the government until Jammu and Kashmir regains statehood.
The proposed expansion would be the first major reshuffle of Omar Abdullah’s Council of Ministers since his government assumed office in October 2024. The government is set to complete two years in office on October 16.
The Chief Minister had recently indicated that the Cabinet reshuffle would take place after the GST Council meeting in New Delhi, according to the report.
