Avinash Azad
Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah on Saturday delivered a blunt message to National Conference (NC) leaders and MLAs lobbying for ministerial berths: stop calling, stop sending WhatsApp messages and stop knocking on doors, because the list of ministers has already been finalised. He said the much-awaited cabinet expansion and reshuffle will take place in the first two to three days of next week.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha, Omar Abdullah said he had sought time from the LG for the exercise and confirmed that the ministerial list was ready following consultations with NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah.
“After consultations with Farooq Sahib, the list has been finalised. There is no need to knock on Farooq Sahib’s door, my door or anyone else’s door. The decision of who will become a minister is not pending; it has already been made,” the CM said.
Omar Abdullah’s remarks came after a week of intense speculation, social-media campaigning and reported lobbying by party leaders seeking entry into—or retention in—the Council of Ministers. The CM said he was receiving long messages and detailed biodatas from colleagues, despite knowing their political work.
“Please stop sending WhatsApp messages. I am receiving endless, lengthy messages… entire books are being written, sending full biodatas as if I don’t know who they are! I already know them and their work,” he said.
He added: “Please do not WhatsApp, do not call and do not knock on doors. Whatever has to be done will be done in the next two to three days.”
The announcement follows weeks of political pressure and opposition claims that dissatisfaction within the National Conference could destabilise the Omar Abdullah-led government. Opposition leaders had alleged that aspirant MLAs were being courted to trigger a split, though the NC has denied any internal rift.
The Omar’s message appears designed to close the space for last-minute lobbying and signal that the final ministerial choices will not be altered by calls, messages or direct approaches to the party’s top leadership. The reshuffle is expected to include both expansion and changes in the existing Council of Ministers, with the Lieutenant Governor’s office to finalise the schedule early next week. Until then, Omar Abdullah has made it clear that patience—not persuasion—will decide who waits outside the cabinet door.
