Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Oct 26: With just hours left for the much-anticipated cabinet expansion in Jammu and Kashmir, political attention has shifted to the possible entry of new faces, likely exits and the future composition of the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers.
As already reported by news agency JKNS, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the incoming ministers at Lok Bhavan Auditorium in Srinagar at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 27.
Multiple sources told news agency JKNS that Minister Satish Sharma is most likely to be dropped from the new list.
Sources have indicated the likely induction of Altaf Kaloo and Nazir Gurezi as new faces in the expansion.
Mubarak Gul, Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Arjun Raju are also figuring in speculation over the possible reshuffle.
Javid Ahmad Dar and several other existing ministers are likely to continue, sources added.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier said that the list of ministers had been finalised following consultations with National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
While speculation continues over the final line-up, the names of incoming ministers and the extent of the reshuffle are expected to become clear at Tuesday’s oath-taking ceremony.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers can comprise a maximum of nine members, including the Chief Minister. (JKNS)
