SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is likely to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday to discuss key matters concerning the Union Territory, including the long-awaited expansion of the Council of Ministers, sources familiar with the developments said on Friday.
The proposed meeting could prove significant in determining the timing of the cabinet expansion, which may take place early next week if the anticipated discussions proceed as expected, the sources said.
“The Chief Minister is likely to meet the Lieutenant Governor tomorrow. Several important matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir are expected to come up for discussion, with cabinet expansion also likely to figure on the agenda,” the sources said.
They indicated that the expansion could follow within three to four days of the proposed meeting, subject to the completion of necessary consultations and formalities.
However, neither the meeting nor the final schedule for the cabinet expansion has been officially confirmed.
The anticipated meeting comes amid continuing political speculation over the expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led ministry, which has remained pending for several months. The National Conference leadership has repeatedly indicated that the exercise would be undertaken, but no formal announcement has been made regarding its timing or the names of prospective ministers.
Omar Abdullah had earlier indicated that the expansion would follow consultations with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah. The party president had also suggested that the exercise would take place after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha returned to the Valley.
The Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers currently has six members, including the chief minister, against the maximum permissible strength of nine, leaving three ministerial positions vacant.
The proposed expansion has generated political interest over the possible induction of new faces, regional representation and the allocation of portfolios. Several ministers in the existing government hold multiple portfolios.
The Congress, which supports the National Conference government from outside, has maintained that it will not join the ministry until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored.
The Omar Abdullah government has been functioning with its existing ministerial strength since taking office in October 2024.
Sources said the proposed meeting was expected to cover broader administrative and governance-related matters, with the cabinet expansion likely to be among the key issues under discussion.
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