Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 24
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday urged ruling National Conference (NC) legislators to stop lobbying him for cabinet positions, saying decisions on ministerial appointments had already been taken ahead of an expected government reshuffle.
CM Omar told reporters that some legislators had been sending lengthy WhatsApp messages seeking ministerial berths, including messages containing their professional and political biographies.
“Some of these WhatsApp messages are as long as books,” he said, adding that he already knew the legislators and their backgrounds.
The CM urged party colleagues not to call him or visit his residence or the residence of NC President Farooq Abdullah to press their claims.
“Whatever has to happen will happen in the next two-three days,” he said, adding that those selected would be appointed according to decisions already made.
CM Omar appealed to aspiring ministers to remain patient as the government prepares to expand and reshuffle its Council of Ministers (CoM) early next week.
The remarks drew criticism from opposition leaders, who said the chief minister had publicly belittled elected representatives.
Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and a senior BJP leader, Sunil Sharma, accused the CM of behaving like a king and restricting access to a close circle of advisers.
Sharma said CM Omar had repeatedly humiliated his own legislators inside and outside the assembly.
Chairman of the People’s Conference, Sajad Gani Lone, described CM Omar’s remarks as an example of what he called a “cult of self”.
Lone said legislators who could not be accommodated in the cabinet should not be subjected to public humiliation and questioned how they would face their constituents after being treated in that manner.
Separately, Farooq Abdullah warned NC workers and leaders against changing their political allegiance according to which party held power.
Speaking at a gathering in Baramulla district, the party president said those who had invested years of effort in the organisation should remain committed to it rather than abandon it for personal gain.
“Power should not dictate where your political loyalty remains,” he said.
Farooq also said his political objective was not to secure the CM’s position or another office but to help reduce poverty in Jammu and Kashmir.
The comments come as the NC prepares to make changes to the ministry, a process likely to test expectations among party legislators seeking positions in the government.
