The recent expansion of the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has resulted in significant internal friction within the National Conference (NC), as several party members voiced open dissent following the swearing-in of four new ministers on Tuesday. The expansion, which brought the total strength of the council of ministers to nine, triggered protests and public allegations of bias from within the party ranks.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to the new ministers: Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah, and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo. With these inductions, the state cabinet reached its maximum allowed capacity of nine members, including the Chief Minister. Notably, the expansion resulted in the exclusion of Satish Sharma, leaving the Jammu region represented by only two ministers, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and Javed Ahmed Rana.
The announcement of the new ministerial berths led to immediate disappointment among those who had expected to be included. MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi, who was widely considered a contender for a position until the final stages, expressed his frustration openly, even breaking down during the discussions. Larmi and other legislators used the occasion to criticise the party leadership, questioning the criteria used for selection and alleging a fundamental lack of internal democracy within the National Conference.
"I am a law graduate, while the MLA chosen has not even passed matriculation," Larmi said, highlighting the internal grievances regarding the party's decision-making process. The sentiment was echoed by other party members, with supporters of MLA Mubarak Gul staging protests at the party headquarters. Additionally, reports suggested that Nazir Ahmad Khan was among those unhappy with the latest cabinet adjustments.
The political fallout extended beyond the party’s core members, as independent MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, who supports the NC-led government, boycotted the swearing-in ceremony. Khan alleged that the expansion reflected a clear discrimination against the Poonch-Rajouri region. He has indicated plans to convene a group of six independent MLAs who support the current administration to discuss their future course of action in light of these developments.
Responding to the mounting criticism, Health Minister Sakina Itoo dismissed the protests, maintaining a firm stance on the government's decisions. Despite this, the atmosphere within the legislature remains strained. One NC legislator noted that the coming three months would serve as a litmus test for the party brass to determine whether they can manage the prevailing anger and consolidate support.
"The way the expansion was carried out has humiliated party legislators. There seems to be no democracy within the party," the unnamed legislator stated. The current state assembly, which comprises 90 members, has been operating under these constraints since the government was sworn in on October 16, 2024. At that time, Omar Abdullah took office with five ministers, leaving three cabinet berths vacant for nearly two years before this week's expansion.
As the administration moves forward, the pressure on the leadership to balance regional representation and party loyalty continues to mount. Observers noted that the open defiance expressed by senior party figures and the protest from allied independent MLAs represent a significant challenge for the Chief Minister as he attempts to stabilize his cabinet and streamline governance in the region.
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