Satish Sharma dropped from Council of Ministers; NC leaders return to Cabinet as Omar Abdullah reshapes his team
Srinagar, October 27: The much-anticipated Cabinet reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir was completed on Tuesday with four new ministers taking oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar, marking a significant change in the Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath to Mir Saifullah, MLA from Trehgam in Kupwara district; Ali Mohammad Sagar, MLA from Khanyar in Srinagar; Shameema Firdous, MLA from Habba Kadal in Srinagar; and Altaf Ahmad Wani, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, MLA from Pahalgam in Anantnag district.
The ceremony at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium brought the Cabinet reshuffle, which had been the subject of political speculation for days, to its conclusion. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior National Conference leaders were present as the new ministers formally joined the government.
The reshuffle also saw the exit of Satish Sharma, who had been holding the Sports and Youth Services portfolio. His removal marks a change in the composition of the Council of Ministers as Omar Abdullah reorganises his team and prepares for the next phase of governance.
Ahead of the reshuffle, the five incumbent ministers had submitted their resignations, providing the Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah an opportunity to restructure the Cabinet. The exercise was seen as an important organisational decision for the ruling National Conference, which leads the government in the Union Territory.
The induction of Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani brings experienced National Conference legislators into the ministerial team. Their induction also gives representation to key constituencies across Srinagar, Kupwara and Anantnag districts.
The allocation of portfolios will be closely watched, as the new ministers take charge of their respective departments and the government settles into its revised arrangement. The reshuffle is expected to shape the distribution of responsibilities within the Cabinet and the government’s approach to administrative and developmental priorities.
Meanwhile, National Conference legislator and party spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq congratulated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the newly inducted ministers, expressing hope that the reconstituted Cabinet would work towards the welfare of the people.
In a post on X, Sadiq wrote, “Congratulations to HCM Omar Abdullah Sahab and all the members of the new Cabinet. Wishing you all the very best as you take on the responsibility of serving the people of Jammu & Kashmir. May your tenure be guided by commitment, compassion and meaningful work towards a more prosperous and empowered J&K. Best wishes.”
The Congress party, which is part of the broader political understanding supporting the Omar Abdullah-led government, has decided not to join the Cabinet expansion, citing Jammu and Kashmir’s Union Territory status. The party has maintained that it will continue to extend outside support until statehood is restored.
With the oath-taking ceremony completed, attention now turns to the allocation of portfolios and how the restructured Cabinet will address public expectations on employment, development, governance and other pressing issues facing Jammu and Kashmir.