Jammu, 26 October (H.S.): The first expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led government’s cabinet will take place on Tuesday at the Lok Bhawan in Srinagar, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office to the new ministers.

The first expansion of the cabinet for the National Conference-led government, headed by Omar Abdullah, is scheduled for Tuesday. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 10:30 AM at the Lok Bhawan in Srinagar. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers. Party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah will also be present at the ceremony, and legislators have been invited to attend.

According to sources, this expansion aims to ensure regional balance, with representation in the cabinet likely being extended to Poonch, Ramban, Kathua, and North Kashmir. From the Kashmir division, the current Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, may be inducted into the cabinet and entrusted with key portfolios. Mubarak Gul is expected to succeed Rather as the new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

Other legislators from the Kashmir division who are top contenders for cabinet positions include Salman Sagar, Nazir Gurezi, Hilal Akbar Lone, and Tanvir Sadiq. Two new faces from the Jammu division may also be included in the cabinet; the names of Aijaz Ahmed Jan (from Poonch) and Arjun Singh Raju (from Ramban) are under strong consideration. Additionally, there is a high probability that Dr. Rameshwar Singh, an independent legislator from the Bani assembly constituency in Kathua district, will be appointed as a minister.

Omar Submits Final List to the LG: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with the Lieutenant Governor at the Lok Bhawan on Saturday to discuss the cabinet expansion. During the meeting, he submitted the list of proposed cabinet additions and reshuffles to the Lieutenant Governor. Following the meeting, Omar stated that he had requested a time from the Lieutenant Governor for the swearing-in ceremony. He had also advised the legislators against seeking recommendations or lobbying for ministerial positions. Satish Sharma and Javed Rana may be dropped; portfolios could be taken away from Chaudhary.

Under this proposed reshuffle, at least one minister from the Jammu division could be dropped—a number that might even rise to two. Among them, the positions of ministers Satish Sharma and Javed Ahmed Rana are at risk. Meanwhile, the portfolios held by Deputy CM Surinder Chaudhary could be curtailed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar