National Conference offers Congress seats in J&K cabinet

The ruling National Conference (NC) has reportedly made a fresh offer to the Indian National Congress to join the ministerial team led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir. This offer comes as Abdullah prepares for a potential reshuffle and expansion of his council of ministers, which is limited to a maximum of nine members under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act.

Despite the offer, the Congress party has maintained a principled stance against joining the government. JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra stated that the party will not join the ministry until the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir and the protection of constitutional rights. While Congress remains outside the cabinet, Karra noted that the party will support the NC government if the BJP attempts to destabilize it, though they will continue to voice opposition to specific governance issues, such as power tariff hikes.