SRINAGAR — Four legislators were inducted into the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers on Tuesday as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah carried out a cabinet expansion and reshuffle, while senior National Conference leader and Eidgah MLA Mubarak Gul has declined to accept his appointment as the party’s general secretary, according to reports and sources.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium in Srinagar, according to news agency GNS.
Those sworn in were Mir Saifullah, MLA from Trehgam in Kupwara; Ali Mohammad Sagar, MLA from Khanyar in Srinagar; Shameema Firdous, MLA from Habba Kadal in Srinagar; and Altaf Ahmad Wani, MLA from Pahalgam in Anantnag.
The expansion marks a major restructuring of the Omar Abdullah-led government, which assumed office in October 2024.
National Conference leader Tanvir Sadiq congratulated the chief minister and the new Cabinet members following the oath-taking ceremony.
In a post on X, Sadiq wrote, “Congratulations to HCM Omar Abdullah Sahab and all the members of the new Cabinet. Wishing you all the very best as you take on the responsibility of serving the people of Jammu & Kashmir. May your tenure be guided by commitment, compassion and meaningful work towards a more prosperous and empowered J&K. Best wishes.”
Mubarak Gul declines general secretary post
Meanwhile, sources close to Mubarak Gul said the senior National Conference leader had not accepted his appointment as the party’s general secretary following the cabinet expansion.
A person close to Gul told the news agency GNS that the legislator was facing pressure from his supporters to resign from the party position, with workers expressing dissatisfaction over his exclusion from the expanded ministry.
“For the last 40 years we have been helping this party to win from Eidgah constituency. If even today minister berth isn’t given to our leader Mubarak Gul, then when,” Gul’s workers reportedly told him.
Sources said party workers in Eidgah were disgruntled over Gul not being inducted into the Cabinet.
Gul had been appointed general secretary following the cabinet expansion, according to the report. His reported refusal to accept the position comes amid questions over the accommodation of senior party leaders in the reshuffled ministry.
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