Srinagar, Oct 27 (HS): National Conference (NC) MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, entered the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers for the first time on Tuesday, bringing two-term legislative experience from Pahalgam in south Kashmir to the Omar Abdullah-led government.

Kaloo was among four NC legislators inducted into the Council of Ministers as part of the first major reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah government since it assumed office in October 2024. Unlike Ali Mohammad Sagar and Mir Saifullah, who have previously served as ministers, Kaloo and Shamima Firdous are entering the ministry for the first time.

Kaloo represents Pahalgam in the current Assembly. He previously represented the constituency in the Assembly and also served as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council. His political career with the NC dates back to the late 2000s.

In the 2024 Assembly elections, Kaloo won Pahalgam by 13,756 votes, securing 26,210 votes against 12,454 polled by his nearest rival, Rafi Ahmed Mir of the Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party.

His 2024 election affidavit lists his profession as politician and his educational qualification as a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from the Islamia Institute of Technology, Bangalore, completed in 1995. The affidavit records no criminal cases, declared assets of Rs 5.27 crore and liabilities of about Rs 60.55 lakh.

Kaloo's induction also gives the Council of Ministers a younger face from south Kashmir. He has maintained an active public presence and regular engagement with people, making him relatively accessible to younger sections of the constituency.

Speaking to the media after taking oath, Kaloo said the party president and Chief Minister had entrusted him with a major responsibility and that he would make every effort to serve the people.

“The party president and the Chief Minister have given me a big responsibility. We will leave no stone unturned. We will try to do whatever we can to serve the people. The coming time will bear testimony to our performance,” he said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat