Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 24
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to expand and reshuffle his Council of Ministers (CoM) on Tuesday, with senior National Conference (NC) leaders among those being considered for cabinet positions, party and government sources said.
Omar said on Saturday that the exercise would take place within the next two to three days and that the list had been finalised in consultation with National Conference President Farooq Abdullah.
The reshuffle is likely to take place on Tuesday, sources said, although the CM did not announce a date or disclose the names of potential appointees.
Senior party leaders Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Muhammad Sagar, and Aijaz Jan are among those being considered for ministerial positions, according to the sources.
Arjun Singh Raju has also emerged as a possible contender from the Jammu region, they said.
The proposed changes could involve the removal of Javid Rana, who handles portfolios including Jal Shakti, Forest and Tribal Affairs, and Satish Sharma, who oversees Transport and other departments.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Javid Dar and Sakina Itoo are expected to remain in the government under the proposed arrangement, the sources said.
Nazir Gurezi is also being considered for a role, although he could instead become Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, replacing Rather, whose possible induction into the cabinet would require a change in the speaker’s position.
The final composition of the ministry will depend on the formal announcement of appointments and any changes to existing portfolios.
The reshuffle would allow the NC-led government to adjust the distribution of responsibilities among ministers and address vacancies in the CoM.
The exercise is also expected to involve balancing regional representation and the demands of senior legislators within the ruling party.
