Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 19
National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah said on Monday that the expansion of the Council of Ministers was expected after Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha returned to the Valley, as the elected government continued to operate under an unresolved division of powers.
“The LG was not well and is out of J&K. When the LG comes, there will be an expansion of the cabinet,” Abdullah told reporters in Budgam.
The statement comes days after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s government completed two years in office without a major cabinet reshuffle. The chief minister had previously said he would consult the NC president before taking a decision on the expansion.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers cannot exceed 10% of the Legislative Assembly’s strength. With 90 elected members, the council can have up to nine members, including the chief minister.
The government currently has six members, leaving three positions vacant. They include Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, and ministers Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.
The expansion could involve the induction of additional legislators and changes in ministerial portfolios. The Congress, an electoral ally of the NC, has so far declined to join the government, saying it will continue to support it from outside until full statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah also criticised the delay in framing business rules to define the respective powers of the lieutenant governor and the elected government.
He described the administration as operating on a “double-edged sword”, citing uncertainty over the distribution of authority under the Union Territory framework.
Referring to earlier assurances on delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood, Abdullah accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of failing to honour its commitments.
“The assurances were given to us, but the BJP is not keeping its promises,” he said.
He said NC members of parliament had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in January to discuss the business rules, but the framework remained pending 10 months later.
On reports that Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah might resign on November 3, Abdullah said the decision rested with the lawmaker.
“If Ruhullah wants to resign, he is free to do so. It makes no difference,” he said.
Abdullah also expressed concern over an attack on a Kashmir-bound passenger bus in Haryana. He said Omar Abdullah had sought strict action against those responsible and compensation for the damage caused.
He called on the authorities to address the incident promptly and prevent similar attacks, saying the chief minister had urged the Centre to take cognisance of the matter.
