| Omar’s cabinet expansion on Oct 27, but Congress says ‘we don’t know’ | |    | Early Times Report
Jammu, Oc 25: Even as the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government has fixed October 27 for its much-awaited cabinet expansion and reshuffle, coalition partner Congress has said it has no information about the exercise.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Dr Syed Naseer Hussain told a news agency that the party was unaware of the date or timing of the proposed reshuffle. He further clarified that there has been no discussion so far on Congress joining the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“There is no discussion over the matter as of now,” Dr Naseer said. When asked specifically about the expansion of the council of ministers, he replied, “That we don’t know.”
Congress has extended outside support to the National Conference government since its formation in October 2024. The two parties contested the Assembly elections as pre-poll allies, yet Congress has remained outside the ministry. The party has six MLAs in the 90-member House — five from Kashmir and one from Jammu — and whether it will be accommodated in the expanded cabinet remains an open question.
At the time of government formation in the year 2024, the National Conference had offered a cabinet berth to Congress. The latter declined, maintaining that it would not join the government until statehood is restored to Jammu and Kashmir. | | |
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