Srinagar, Oct 24, 2026 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced on Saturday that the expansion and reshuffle of his council of ministers will occur within the first two to three days of next week. The timeline was set after Abdullah met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhawan on Saturday morning to discuss the upcoming administrative exercise.
Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Abdullah confirmed that he had formally requested time from the Lieutenant Governor to execute the cabinet changes. He noted that the exact timing of the swearing-in and reorganization will be finalized once the Lieutenant Governor sets an appointment for the proceedings.
Addressing the political appointments, the chief minister stated that the list of incoming ministers has already been locked in following extensive consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. With the decisions finalized, Abdullah directly appealed to party legislators and colleagues to halt any further attempts at lobbying for ministerial positions.
Abdullah urged lawmakers to avoid knocking on doors or reaching out to senior leadership, emphasizing that the selection process is no longer open. He revealed that he has been flooded with communication from hopeful party members, including lengthy digital messages and detailed curriculum vitae.
Asking his colleagues to show patience, Abdullah humorously noted that he already knows the background and capabilities of his party members without needing extensive reminders. He reiterated that the implementation of the cabinet reshuffle will proceed shortly as planned within the coming days.