SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to reshuffle his Council of Ministers on Tuesday, October 27, with senior National Conference leader Ali Mohammad Sagar and Ramban MLA Arjun Singh Raju among those being considered for induction, sources familiar with the developments told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled to be held at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar at 10:30 am, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the incoming ministers, according to the sources.
The exercise would mark the first major reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah-led government since it assumed office in October 2024. Sources said the proposed changes could extend beyond filling vacant ministerial positions to include changes in the Cabinet’s composition and a possible redistribution of key portfolios.
Ali Mohammad Sagar, a senior National Conference leader with extensive government experience, is among the likely choices for a Cabinet berth. Arjun Singh Raju, the party’s MLA from Ramban, is also being considered, potentially strengthening representation from the Jammu region.
Sources further indicated that Javid Ahmad Dar, Javed Ahmed Rana and Satish Sharma may be dropped from the Council of Ministers. However, no official confirmation has been issued regarding their possible exit, and the reasons for the proposed changes remain unclear.
Speaker, Finance portfolio changes likely
National Conference veteran Mubarak Gul is being considered for the post of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, while incumbent Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather may be inducted into the Cabinet and assigned the Finance portfolio, according to sources.
Rather, a senior legislator with considerable legislative and administrative experience, currently occupies the Speaker’s position. His possible induction into the executive would necessitate a change in the Assembly’s speakership, with Gul emerging as a likely successor.
The proposed reshuffle is also expected to leave Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo in their existing positions. Sources indicated that both are likely to continue in their current roles, although other Cabinet portfolios could be reviewed.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier said that the list of ministers had been finalised in consultation with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
He had also urged party colleagues seeking ministerial positions to stop sending messages and making repeated approaches, saying the decisions had already been taken.
The proposed changes come amid pressure to accommodate senior legislators and maintain regional representation in the Council of Ministers.
Jammu and Kashmir’s 90-member Legislative Assembly permits a Council of Ministers comprising up to nine members, including the chief minister, under the applicable framework.
The names of ministers to be inducted or dropped, along with the proposed changes involving the Speaker and the Finance portfolio, remain subject to official confirmation ahead of Tuesday’s ceremony.
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