Omar Abdullah Government Set for First Cabinet Reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir

The reshuffle will take place without the inclusion of the coalition partners of the National Conference (NC)-led government. The Congress has already made it clear that it will not join the cabinet until Jammu and Kashmir regains full statehood.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar at 10:30 am on Tuesday. This will be the first major change in Omar Abdullah’s council of ministers since he assumed office.

According to sources in the ruling National Conference, the party is leaning towards experienced legislators rather than new faces as it prepares to restructure the cabinet. The development comes amid internal dissent within the party, with Srinagar NC MP Aga Ruhullah expected to make a major decision on November 3. Speculation is rife that he could sever his ties with the party.

Sources indicate that Omar Abdullah is planning not only to expand his council of ministers but also to reshuffle its existing composition. Senior NC leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Aijaz Jan are among those being discussed for inclusion in the cabinet.

Javed Rana and Satish Sharma could be dropped from the council of ministers as part of the proposed reshuffle. Meanwhile, Arjun Singh Raju has emerged as a strong contender for a ministerial position from the Jammu region.

According to sources, the party may replace Rana, who holds portfolios including Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs, and Sharma, who handles Transport and other departments, with new faces as the government looks to reconstitute its ministerial team.

Under the proposed arrangement, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Javed Dar and Sakina Itoo are expected to retain their positions in the government. If Abdul Rahim Rather joins the council of ministers, Nazir Gurezi could be appointed as the new Assembly Speaker in his place.

The cabinet reshuffle is expected to take into account regional representation and the experience of senior legislators as the NC-led government reassesses its ministerial structure. At present, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet is evenly divided between the Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The council of ministers comprises Omar Abdullah himself, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and four cabinet ministers.

Omar Abdullah will retain departments that are not allocated to other ministers. However, the induction of senior leaders could lead to the redistribution of important portfolios, including Finance, Revenue, Hospitality and Protocol, and Information.

Some portfolios currently held by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary could also be reassigned. His existing responsibilities include Public Works (Roads and Buildings), Industries and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Employment, and Skill Development.

Sakina Masood (Itoo), who currently handles Health and Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare, could also see changes in her portfolio allocation. Similar changes are possible in the departments held by Javed Dar.

According to sources within the National Conference, coalition partners are not expected to be accommodated in the expanded cabinet unless there is a major last-minute development. Independent legislators and smaller allies, including the CPI(M), are therefore also likely to remain outside the council of ministers.

The Congress, which contested the 2024 Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference, continues to support the government from outside. However, it has refused to join the administration until Jammu and Kashmir is restored to full statehood.

The cabinet's composition is also constrained by the legal framework governing the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the existing provisions, the council of ministers cannot exceed 10 per cent of the total strength of the 90-member Legislative Assembly. This limits the cabinet to a maximum of nine ministers, including the Chief Minister, making the upcoming reshuffle a significant exercise in allocating ministerial positions and portfolios.