Srinagar, October 24 (HS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday urged members of his party and government not to lobby for a place in the Council of Ministers, saying the list of new ministers has already been finalised in consultation with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar said the reshuffle and expansion would take place next week and appealed to his colleagues to be patient.

“I just want to request my colleagues that the reshuffling will be done next week. The list is ready after consulting with Farooq Abdullah Sahab. There is no need to knock on his door, my door or anyone else’s door. The decision on who will become a minister has already been made,” he said.

“I request my colleagues to be patient. The decision will be made by Allah, and then by us,” he added.

Omar said he had been receiving a flood of WhatsApp messages from those hoping for a berth, with some sending lengthy messages and even their bio-data. “Some colleagues are sending messages as if they are writing books, as though I don’t know them. They are sending me their bio-data. I know them and I know their bio-data,” he said.

“Don’t send me WhatsApp. Don’t knock on my door. The decision has already been made and will be announced in two to three days,” he said.

The chief minister’s remarks came after he called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, from whom he said he had sought time early next week to carry out the expansion and make some changes in the Council of Ministers.

The NC-led government completed two years in office on October 16 without expanding the Council of Ministers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat