J&K Cabinet expansion next week: CM Omar Abdullah meets LG Manoj Sinha, says final list sealed

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said he has requested Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to fix a time in the first two-three days of next week for the expansion of the Council of Ministers.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the LG, Abdullah said the matter of reshuffle and expansion was discussed in detail. He requested the LG to allot time so that some changes and expansion can be carried out in the Cabinet. The LG will decide the exact schedule, after which the expansion process will begin.

Abdullah revealed that the list of ministers has already been finalised after consultation with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. He made it clear that the decision on who will be inducted has already been taken.

Appealing to party colleagues and aspirants, Abdullah said: “There is no need to knock on Farooq Sahib’s door, my door, or anyone else’s door. Please be patient. Whoever is destined will get it. First Allah decides, then we decide. Do not send WhatsApp messages, do not call, and do not send long biodatas. I already know everyone. Whatever is to happen will happen in the next two-three days.”

Abdullah also raised the issue of people from Jammu & Kashmir and other states who are stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations. Said “He said ticket prices have risen sharply, making it difficult especially for those who had booked budget airlines to arrange return tickets. The matter is being taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs.”

Abdullah added that if the MEA does not have adequate funds to help bring the stranded people back, the Jammu & Kashmir government is ready to divert some money from its own budget to facilitate their return.”

On a question related to the China border and Ladakh, Abdullah clarified that after the separation of Ladakh, the matter is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Jammu & Kashmir government. He said “the issue should be taken up either with the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh or with the central government, as J&K has no role in it now.”

Abdullah said the Lieutenant Governor had returned to Srinagar a few days ago and his health had been slightly unwell in between. He therefore made it a point to inquire about the LG’s health during the meeting, apart from discussing several other important issues.