Omar Abdullah Announces Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet Expansion

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that the Jammu and Kashmir council of ministers will undergo expansion and reshuffling during the first few days of next week. Abdullah met with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Lok Bhawan in Srinagar on October 24, 2026, to request the necessary time for the exercise.

Abdullah stated that the list of ministers has already been finalized following consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. He explicitly urged party colleagues and MLAs to stop lobbying for positions through phone calls and WhatsApp messages, asserting that the decisions are settled and there is no need to further petition leadership.

Beyond cabinet changes, the Chief Minister noted that his government is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to provide assistance to Kashmiri pilgrims currently stranded in Saudi Arabia. These pilgrims are facing difficulties due to high airfares and flight cancellations.