 Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 26: Amid reports of an impending cabinet expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, some Congress leaders have reportedly urged the party's central leadership to reconsider its decision to stay out of the government until statehood is restored to the Union Territory.
The fresh appeal comes amid reports that the ruling National Conference (NC) has once again reached out to the Congress, inviting the party to formally join the government and take up ministerial berths.
According to sources, the NC has conveyed to the Congress leadership that its doors remain open for the party to join the ruling dispensation. The proposal was reportedly discussed with AICC general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain, who is understood to have responded cautiously, indicating that any decision would be taken only after consultations with the party's central leadership.
Sources said Hussain subsequently discussed the proposal with the J&K Congress leadership during his recent visit to the Union Territory, indicating that the issue is being actively deliberated within the party.
However, the Congress has yet to take a final decision on whether to formally join the Omar Abdullah-led government.
This is not the first time that the NC has extended an invitation to the Congress. When the NC-led government was formed in October 2024, the ruling party had reportedly offered the Congress one ministerial berth. The Congress had sought two berths, and after its demand was not accepted, the party decided to remain outside the government.
The Congress had maintained that it would not join the government until Jammu and Kashmir's statehood was restored.
Nearly two years later, the polit “NC has conveyed to the Congress leadership that its doors remain open for the party to join the ruling dispensation. The proposal was reportedly discussed with AICC general secretary in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain, who is understood to have responded cautiously”
The renewed outreach comes at a significant political juncture, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah having repeatedly indicated that a cabinet reshuffle and expansion is on the cards. Although he has avoided giving a specific timeline, Omar had earlier described the exercise as "work in progress" and indicated that it would take place after Independence Day.
The Council of Ministers is currently functioning with limited strength. Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the Council of Ministers cannot exceed nine members, which is capped at 10 per cent of the 90-member Legislative Assembly.
With vacancies in the Council of Ministers and several names being discussed for possible induction, the NC's fresh outreach to the Congress assumes political significance. The ruling party may be keen to project a united coalition ahead of finalising the new ministerial team.
In the 90-member Assembly, the NC has 41 MLAs, while the Congress has six members. Despite being electoral allies, the Congress has so far chosen to extend support to the government without formally joining the Council of Ministers.
The Congress high command is now expected to consider the fresh proposal. The final decision is likely to depend on several political factors, particularly the party's continued demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, which has remained a key condition for its participation in the government.
Whether the renewed NC invitation succeeds in ending the impasse or the Congress maintains its existing position is likely to become clear as consultations within the party intensify and the proposed cabinet reshuffle takes concrete shape. | 