Srinagar, Oct 26 (KNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take a final call on Monday on accepting or rejecting the resignations of his five cabinet colleagues, ahead of the much-awaited expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers, a close associate of the Chief Minister told Kashmir News Service (KNS).

He said all five ministers submitted their resignations to the Chief Minister on Monday, leaving the decision on their continuation in the government to him.

“The Chief Minister is likely to decide today which resignations to accept and which to reject. Those who are to be dropped will have their resignations accepted, while the resignations of ministers who are to continue will be rejected,” he said.

Describing the submission of resignations as a routine exercise ahead of the cabinet expansion, the close associate said the move was part of the process preceding the proposed changes in the Council of Ministers.

He also said that all five ministers had submitted their resignations, while the Advisor to the Chief Minister was not part of the exercise as the position does not fall within the Council of Ministers.

The decision is expected to determine the fate of the sitting ministers and pave the way for the induction of new faces into the Omar Abdullah-led government.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The oath-taking ceremony for new ministers has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, at 10:30 am at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.
The Council of Ministers currently comprises six members, including the Chief Minister, leaving three ministerial berths vacant.

However, the resignations submitted by the five sitting ministers have given Omar Abdullah the option of reshuffling his existing team alongside filling the vacant positions.

Under Section 53 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, cannot exceed 10 per cent of the total membership of the Legislative Assembly. With 90 elected seats, Jammu and Kashmir can have a maximum of nine ministers, including the Chief Minister.

The picture regarding the ministers likely to be retained or dropped is expected to become clear following the Chief Minister's decision on Monday.

The proposed exercise would mark the first major reshuffle and expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led ministry since the government assumed office in October 2024.

There has been no official announcement so far regarding the acceptance of resignations or the names of legislators likely to be inducted. (KNS)