SRINAGAR, October 27, 2026 – Ending the suspense over the highly anticipated cabinet expansion, four legislators from the National Conference (NC) took the oath of office as ministers in the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted cabinet members—Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah, and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo. The event was attended by senior political leaders and top administration officials.
The induction brings a fresh dynamic to the council of ministers. While seasoned legislators like Ali Mohammad Sagar and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo were among the expected frontrunners, the inclusion of Shamima Firdous emerged as a major surprise in the reshuffle. Following her induction, Firdous expressed her gratitude for the opportunity provided by the party leadership and vowed to work with renewed dedication for the people.
Similarly, Mir Saifullah thanked the Almighty and the party leadership ahead of his induction. “I am really thankful to the Dr. Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference leadership and Almighty Allah for this opportunity,” he told reporters.
However, the cabinet expansion also brought visible disappointment for some. Veteran NC leader Mubarak Gul publicly expressed his dismay over being excluded from the ministerial lineup once again. Expressing his frustration outside Lok Bhawan, Gul remarked, “I have attended 30 oath-taking ceremonies till now. Every time I was dropped, and today as well, I am being dropped.”
The expansion marks a critical step for the Omar Abdullah-led government as it finalizes its cabinet choices to deliver on its administrative and developmental agenda for the Union Territory.
Published by True Roots Media Network