Srinagar, Oct 26 (KNS): Senior National Conference leaders held a meeting at Minister Javed Dar’s Church Lane residence in Srinagar on Monday, hours ahead of a likely decision by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the resignations of his cabinet colleagues, top sources told Kashmir News Service (KNS).

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Rajya Sabha MP Shami Oberoi, while senior leaders Satish Sharma and Javed Raina were also in attendance.

Speaking to KNS after the meeting, a minister who participated in the discussions described the gathering as routine, playing down speculation over its timing ahead of the proposed cabinet expansion.

“It was a routine meeting,” the minister told KNS.

Asked whether the cabinet expansion and reshuffle had figured during the discussions, the minister said the decision rested entirely with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“It is the Chief Minister’s prerogative, and we are ready for whatever decision he takes,” the minister said.

The meeting comes amid political developments surrounding the proposed expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led Council of Ministers, with all five sitting ministers having submitted their resignations to the Chief Minister on Monday.

Omar Abdullah is likely to take a final call on accepting or rejecting the resignations, a decision that could determine whether the exercise involves only filling the existing vacancies or also replacing some sitting ministers.

The Council of Ministers currently comprises six members, including the Chief Minister, leaving three ministerial berths vacant.

The oath-taking ceremony for new ministers is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at 10:30 am at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.(KNS)