Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday indicated that the much-anticipated reshuffle of his Council of Ministers is likely to be taken up shortly after the GST Council meeting and subsequent consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Omar said he had intended to complete the cabinet exercise during the current period, but the recently concluded Autumn Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly delayed the process.
“I had said that the session has just been completed. I would have done it in these days,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar, however, said his scheduled visit to New Delhi for the GST Council meeting would take precedence. He added that the cabinet reshuffle would be discussed with Farooq Abdullah after the Delhi engagement.
“But tomorrow there is a GST Council meeting in Delhi. We will complete it and then we will consult with Mr. Farooq,” Omar said.
The statement has once again brought the proposed cabinet reshuffle into focus, with the exercise having been under discussion for several weeks. Earlier reports had indicated that the reshuffle could involve changes in ministerial responsibilities and possibly the induction of new faces.
The official J&K General Administration Department currently lists six members in the Council of Ministers, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Ministers Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmed Rana, Javid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma.
Omar is also a member of the GST Council in his capacity as J&K Chief Minister/Finance Minister. The GST Council’s official website lists him among its members.
The 57th GST Council meeting, originally scheduled for October 7, has been rescheduled for October 8 in New Delhi.
The Chief Minister’s latest remarks indicate that the cabinet reshuffle process is expected to move forward after the GST Council engagement and the proposed consultation with Farooq Abdullah. However, no details regarding the names of ministers who may be inducted, dropped or reassigned have been officially announced so far.
