Four ministers inducted into Omar Abdullah-led J-K government

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday administered the oath of office to four National Conference legislators inducted into Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers, in the first major cabinet expansion since the government assumed office in October 2024.

Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo were sworn in as ministers at a ceremony attended by Omar Abdullah and other political leaders, Kashmir News Service reported.

The expansion follows months of speculation over a reshuffle in the ministry, with Abdullah earlier indicating that the decision would be taken after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and the party leadership.

Sagar is a senior National Conference leader with extensive legislative experience, while Firdous, Saifullah and Kaloo are also elected representatives of the party.

The induction comes amid efforts to restructure the ministry and accommodate senior legislators. The allocation of portfolios to the newly inducted ministers is expected to determine their respective responsibilities in the government.

Meanwhile, the Congress has decided to stay out of the government, citing Jammu and Kashmir's Union Territory status. The party has said it will continue to extend outside support to the government until statehood is restored.

Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised as a Union Territory in August 2019. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers can have a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister.

The cabinet expansion marks the first major restructuring of the Omar Abdullah-led government since the National Conference-led alliance came to power following the 2024 Assembly elections.