Omar Abdullah Expands J&K Cabinet, Inducts Four
Four National Conference MLAs Join Omar Abdullah Cabinet
Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, also known as Altaf Kaloo, were inducted into the Council of Ministers.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.
The new appointments brought the Council of Ministers to its permitted strength under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.
Satish Sharma Dropped in J&K Cabinet Reshuffle
The reshuffle also saw Satish Sharma removed from the Cabinet as Abdullah sought to accommodate new ministers.
The Chief Minister had earlier consulted National Conference president Farooq Abdullah before finalising the changes.
Sagar, an experienced legislator and National Conference general secretary, is among the prominent figures inducted. The appointments also include representatives from Kupwara, Pahalgam and Habbakadal.
The government is expected to announce ministerial portfolios separately.
Congress Maintains Stand on Jammu and Kashmir Statehood
Congress, an alliance partner of the National Conference, has maintained its decision not to join the Council of Ministers until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored.
The Union Territory’s ministerial strength is restricted by legislation, limiting the number of positions available.
The expansion comes two years after Abdullah assumed office following the 2024 Assembly elections.
The changes mark a restructuring of the National Conference-led administration as it continues governing Jammu and Kashmir under its Union Territory framework.
