Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Omar Abdullah Likely to Reshuffle Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Next Week
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah may change his team of ministers next week.
He is discussing the plan with National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah.
Party sources say the new ministers are expected to be experienced leaders, not first-time MLAs.
Abdul Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar are among those who may join.
The plan could remove two ministers and add five.
The Cabinet now has six members, including the Chief Minister, and can have up to nine.
Congress says it will keep supporting the government but will not join the Cabinet until statehood is restored.
The final changes have not yet been announced.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is reportedly planning a Cabinet reshuffle or expansion next week, in consultation with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
Party sources say no first-time MLAs will be inducted; the plan is instead to bring in senior leaders.
Abdul Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar are among the leaders expected to join the Cabinet, alongside Altaf Kaloo, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi and Ajaz Ahmad Jan.
Omar Abdullah may drop two ministers and induct five; the Cabinet currently has six members, including the Chief Minister, and may have up to nine.
Congress says its six MLAs will continue supporting the National Conference government but will not join the Cabinet until statehood is restored.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, consulting National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
- What
- A Cabinet reshuffle or expansion is reportedly being planned, with five possible new ministers and two ministers potentially dropped.
- When
- Next week, according to party sources quoted on Saturday.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir.
- Why
- Party sources say senior leaders are being considered to support better governance and supervision.
National Conference government
Congress
Joining the Cabinet
National Conference government
Omar Abdullah has offered Congress a Cabinet berth.
Congress
Congress says it will continue supporting the government but will not join the Cabinet until statehood is restored.
- Current Cabinet
- Six members, including the Chief Minister.
- Maximum Cabinet size
- Nine members, including the Chief Minister, according to the article.
- Possible changes
- Two ministers may be dropped and five inducted.
- Potential inductees named
- Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Altaf Kaloo, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi and Ajaz Ahmad Jan.
- First-time MLAs
- Party sources say none will be accommodated in the Cabinet.
- Congress position
- Its six MLAs will support the NC government but not join the Cabinet until statehood is restored.
- Assembly
- The 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly includes 41 National Conference MLAs, 29 BJP MLAs and six Congress MLAs.