Omar Abdullah Expands Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, Inducts Four NC Leaders

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Four National Conference legislators were inducted into his Council of Ministers in Srinagar on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. (File photo)

Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shameema Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo take oath at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar

Key Highlights

• Four National Conference legislators were sworn in as ministers on Tuesday, October 27.
• Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar.
• The induction marks the first major expansion of the Omar Abdullah-led government since it took office in October 2024.
• Senior NC leader Mubarak Gul expressed disappointment after being left out of the ministry.
• The expanded Council of Ministers has reached its maximum permitted strength of nine, including the Chief Minister.

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expanded his Council of Ministers on Tuesday, inducting four National Conference (NC) legislators after weeks of political speculation and consultations over the composition of his ministry.

Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shameema Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo took the oath of office and secrecy at a ceremony at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath in the presence of political leaders and officials.

The exercise marks the first major expansion of the NC-led government since it assumed office following the 2024 Assembly elections.

Experienced legislators join ministry

The four inductees represent constituencies across the Kashmir Valley. Sagar is a seven-time legislator from Khanyar, while Firdous represents Habbakadal in Srinagar. Saifullah represents Trehgam in north Kashmir, and Kaloo is the legislator from Pahalgam in south Kashmir.

Sagar and Saifullah have previously served as ministers. Firdous and Kaloo join the ministry for the first time. Firdous becomes the second woman in the Council of Ministers alongside Sakina Itoo.

Firdous expressed happiness at the opportunity given to her by the party and said she would continue to work hard. Saifullah thanked the National Conference leadership for the opportunity, according to Kashmir News Observer.

Disappointment among those left out

The expansion followed months of discussion within the National Conference over the accommodation of senior legislators and the composition of the ministry.

Senior NC leader Mubarak Gul expressed disappointment after he was not included. Speaking to reporters outside Lok Bhavan, he referred to having been left out on previous occasions as well.

Following the changes, the Council of Ministers has reached its maximum permitted strength of nine members, including the Chief Minister.

The expansion brings additional legislators into the government as it enters its third year in office. Attention will now turn to the allocation of portfolios and the responsibilities assigned to the new ministers.