2 hrs ago
Omar Abdullah Weighs Cabinet Expansion Amid Berth Demands
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah plans to expand his government’s cabinet after a meeting about taxes in Delhi.
The cabinet can have nine members, but only six positions are filled now.
Congress wants two of the open positions, saying it should have a place in the government it supports.
Many members of Abdullah’s National Conference party also want to join the cabinet.
The chief minister must decide who gets the remaining positions.
He also needs to consider different regions, religions and caste groups.
The expansion is expected sometime between October 12 and 15.
The BJP criticized the delay, but the National Conference says the government is stable.
Omar Abdullah said the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet expansion will follow the GST Council meeting in Delhi and consultations with Farooq Abdullah.
The nine-member council of ministers has six members, leaving three vacancies.
Congress, which supports the government from outside, is seeking two ministerial berths, one for Jammu and one for Kashmir.
At least a dozen National Conference legislators are reportedly lobbying for cabinet positions.
The expansion is expected between October 12 and 15, while Abdullah weighs regional, religious and caste balance.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the National Conference and its alliance partner Congress.
- What
- A planned cabinet expansion, with Congress seeking two ministerial berths and National Conference legislators competing for vacancies.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir; Abdullah is scheduled to attend the GST Council meeting in Delhi.
- When
- Abdullah said the expansion would follow the GST Council meeting; party insiders expect it between October 12 and 15, 2026.
- Why
- The council has three vacancies, and the expansion requires decisions on alliance demands and regional, religious and caste representation.
Congress and BJP criticism
National Conference response
Congress representation
Congress and BJP criticism
Congress says it fought the election with the National Conference and deserves at least two cabinet berths; it says joining without a concrete assurance would be meaningless.
National Conference response
The National Conference has maintained that Congress should first formally join the government.
Delay and government stability
Congress and BJP criticism
BJP MLA Sunil Sharma criticized the delay, saying Congress was blackmailing the National Conference and its MLAs were fighting among themselves.
National Conference response
The National Conference rejected the charge, said the government is stable, and stated that expansion will happen at an appropriate time.
Key facts
- Cabinet limit
- Nine members under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
- Current membership
- Six members, leaving three vacancies.
- Congress demand
- At least two ministerial berths, one for Jammu and one for Kashmir.
- Congress position
- The party supports the government from outside and says it wants a concrete assurance on berths before joining formally.
- Expected timing
- Party insiders say the expansion is likely between October 12 and 15, after Abdullah returns from Delhi.
- Current regional balance
- The six-member cabinet includes three members from Jammu and three from Kashmir.
- Delhi agenda
- Abdullah is due to attend the GST Council meeting; concerns about GST compensation and Union Territory funding are expected to be raised.
Quotes
Senior Congress leader
Unnamed Congress leader speaking to News18
“It has been almost a year since NC government came to power, but they are still running a headless cabinet. Congress is blackmailing them and NC MLAs are fighting among themselves. This shows lack of leadership.”
news18.com
“The GST Council meeting will be attended by Finance Ministers of all states. J&K’s representative will be there. But on the sidelines, Omar Sahib will meet Congress leadership. That meeting will be crucial.”
news18.com
Sources
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