Overview
- Omar Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar that he met Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and asked him to fix time for a cabinet expansion that he plans to carry out in the first two to three days of next week.
- Abdullah said on Saturday that the list of ministers has already been finalised after consultations with National Conference president Farooq Abdullah and that no further lobbying is needed.
- He publicly urged party MLAs to stop sending messages, biodata and calls as leaders manage expectations ahead of the formal swearing-in process.
- Under J&K rules the lieutenant governor formally schedules swearing-ins, so the announced timing is contingent on the LG setting the formal date for the reshuffle.
- The expansion could add up to four ministers to a five-member council, a change that will affect coalition balance, administrative capacity and local representation and should be watched once the LG fixes the schedule.