Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expands Cabinet

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expanded his Council of Ministers by inducting four leaders from the National Conference (NC). The new ministers, who were sworn in by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, are Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous, and Altaf Ahmad Wani (also known as Altaf Kaloo).

With these appointments, the total strength of the Cabinet has reached nine members, which is the maximum allowed under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 (10 percent of the 90-member Assembly). The expansion aims to strengthen administrative capacity and improve governance across the region. The reshuffle also resulted in the removal of Satish Sharma from the Cabinet.

While the National Conference has filled its ministerial posts, the Congress party—a pre-poll ally—has chosen to remain outside the government. Congress leaders stated they have not participated in discussions regarding the reshuffle and reiterated their demand for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as a condition for joining the administration.