KNB NEWS DESK
Srinagar, October 22(KNB): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is expected to return to Srinagar on Thursday, with the much-awaited expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers likely to move forward following his return.
The proposed cabinet expansion has been pending amid discussions within the ruling National Conference (NC), with the date for inducting new ministers reportedly being finalised.
National Conference president and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah had recently indicated that the expansion would take place after the Lieutenant Governor’s return, attributing the delay to Sinha’s illness and absence from Jammu and Kashmir.
The development comes days after the Omar Abdullah-led government completed two years in office on October 16 without expanding its Council of Ministers since taking charge in October 2024.
Under the existing constitutional limit, the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers can have a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister. The government currently has scope to induct additional ministers, with three positions available for new appointments.
The proposed expansion is being closely watched within the ruling party, as the Chief Minister is expected to balance regional representation, political considerations and the aspirations of party legislators while selecting new faces.
The Congress, which contested the Assembly elections in alliance with the National Conference, has continued to stay out of the government, maintaining that the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir remains its priority.
Although several names have been discussed in political circles, the final decision on the candidates and the date of the expansion is awaited.
The return of the Lieutenant Governor is expected to pave the way for further developments, though an official announcement regarding the cabinet expansion has yet to be made.(KNB)