Aasif Malik
Srinagar, Oct 24 : 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 already 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 formally requested the LG to fix a time during the first two or three days of next week to carry out changes and expansion in 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.
Making it clear that the selection process was already over, the Chief Minister said the names of those who would be inducted into the ministry had been decided in consultation with Farooq Abdullah, leaving no scope for further lobbying.
”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 an unusually direct message to party colleagues seeking ministerial berths, the Chief Minister asked them to stop making calls, sending WhatsApp messages and approaching senior leaders in an attempt to influence the cabinet formation.
He said that he had been receiving numerous messages from aspirants, including 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.
The Chief Minister also invoked faith while asking aspirants to accept the outcome of the selection process.
”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.
Earlier, explaining the circumstances of his meeting with the Lieutenant Governor, Omar said Manoj Sinha had recently returned to Srinagar after being unwell and that he wanted to enquire about his health.
He said the meeting was also important because several matters required discussion and 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, however, confirmed that the cabinet reshuffle and expansion formed an important part of the discussions.
Pertinently, Kashmir News Service (KNS) had reported on Friday that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was likely to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday to discuss several important matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including the long-awaited cabinet expansion. (KNS)
