SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said the expansion and reshuffle of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers would take place within the next two to three days, adding that the list of ministers had been finalised after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar, Omar said he had requested the LG to fix a time during the first two or three days of next week to carry out the changes and expand his Council of Ministers.
“I discussed the reshuffle with the Lieutenant Governor and requested him to fix a time within the first two or three days of next week. I will make some changes and expand my Council of Ministers. The Lieutenant Governor will fix the time, and the expansion will take place,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the selection process had been completed and that the names of those to be inducted into the ministry had been decided in consultation with Farooq Abdullah.
“After consultations with Farooq Abdullah, the list is ready. There is no need to knock on Farooq Abdullah’s door, my door or anyone else’s door. The decision about who will become a minister has already been made,” Omar said.
In a direct message to party colleagues seeking ministerial berths, he asked them to stop lobbying through calls, WhatsApp messages and approaches to senior leaders.
He said he had been receiving numerous messages from aspirants, some of whom were sending lengthy accounts of their political backgrounds and achievements.
“Do not send me WhatsApp messages. I am receiving so many messages, with people writing long accounts and sending their entire biodata, as if I do not know them. The decision that had to be made has already been made,” he said.
Omar reiterated that further lobbying would not change the decisions already taken and urged his colleagues to remain patient until the expansion was formally carried out.
“Please do not WhatsApp, do not call and do not knock on doors. Whatever has to be done will be done in the next two to three days,” he said.
Invoking faith, the Chief Minister said the final outcome should be accepted by aspirants.
“First Allah will decide, then we will. Those who are to be appointed will be appointed. I request my colleagues to be patient,” he said.
Explaining the circumstances of his meeting with the Lieutenant Governor, Omar said Sinha had recently returned to Srinagar after being unwell and that he wanted to enquire about his health.
He said the meeting was also required to discuss several matters and seek the Lieutenant Governor’s advice.
“The Lieutenant Governor had been a little unwell, and I wanted to enquire about his health. There were several matters on which I needed to speak to him and seek his advice. It had been a long time since we met, so I requested time and met him today,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister confirmed that the cabinet reshuffle and expansion formed an important part of the discussions. (With inputs from KNS)
CM Abdullah calls on LG Sinha
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha here, officials said.
Abdullah reached the Lok Bhawan around 11 am to meet Sinha, they said.
The officials said the chief minister is likely to discuss issues related to governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sinha was out of the Union Territory owing to his health and returned to J&K on Thursday. Further details of the meeting were awaited, they added.
