Srinagar, Oct 27 (HS): Shamima Firdous, a three-time National Conference (NC) legislator from Habbakadal, entered the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers for the first time on Tuesday, becoming the second woman in the Omar Abdullah-led ministry after Sakina Masood Itoo.

Firdous 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, Firdous is taking charge of a ministerial position for the first time.

Her induction adds an experienced woman legislator from Srinagar to the government. Firdous has represented Habbakadal three times, winning the constituency in the 2008, 2014 and 2024 Assembly elections on the NC ticket. In the 2024 election, she defeated BJP candidate Ashok Kumar Bhat by 9,538 votes, securing 12,437 votes against Bhat’s 2,899.

Her political career has been closely associated with the National Conference organisation. She has worked as a grassroots-level party worker and has remained active in the NC’s women’s organisation. Her organisational role has kept her in regular contact with women workers and party functionaries, particularly in Srinagar and central Kashmir.

Firdous has also held a significant public position outside the elected Assembly. She served as chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women, with the status of a Minister of State.

A graduate in law, Firdous's 2024 election affidavit records a B.A. and LL.B (Honours) from Kashmir University, completed in 1983. The affidavit lists her profession as politician. It records no criminal cases, declared assets of Rs 6.20 crore and liabilities of Rs 13.17 lakh.

Speaking to the media after taking oath, Firdous described the appointment as a major responsibility and said she would seek the strength to discharge it properly.

“It is a very big responsibility. We will pray to Allah that, since you have given us this responsibility, He also gives us the strength to discharge it properly. A lot of work has been done and a lot remains to be done. We will try to address the grievances of those who are upset,” she said.

Asked about leaders who may be unhappy, Firdous declined to comment on them.

“I do not want to give any opinion about the leaders who are upset. You can speak to the party high command about that,” she said.

Firdous is an important NC woman leader in central Kashmir and remains closely connected with party workers, particularly women. She regularly maintains contact with women workers and convenes their meetings. Her first induction into the ministry gives the party’s women cadre representation in the government.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat