Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday indicated that the expansion of his Council of Ministers is likely to be undertaken after August 15, putting an end to some of the uncertainty surrounding the long-pending exercise.
Speaking to the media in Srinagar, Omar said the government would proceed with the expansion but not before the Independence Day celebrations.
“Will do it, but not before August 15,” the Chief Minister said.The proposed expansion has been under discussion amid expectations of wider political representation and possible changes in the allocation of portfolios within the Council of Ministers.
Omar did not specify a date for the exercise or disclose the names of leaders who may be inducted into the ministry.
Further consultations with leaders of the ruling alliance are expected before the names of new ministers and their portfolios are finalised.
The expansion is being closely watched in political circles, particularly over the representation of different regions of Jammu and Kashmir and the possible strengthening of the government’s administrative set-up.
The Omar Abdullah-led government was formed after the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, in which the National Conference emerged as the single-largest party.
