Another cabinet reshuffle possible after 18 months: Javid Dar

Srinagar, Oct 28: Jammu and Kashmir Minister Javid Ahmad Dar on Wednesday said another cabinet reshuffle could take place after 18 months, offering fresh opportunities to National Conference legislators who were not accommodated in Tuesday’s expansion.
His remarks come amid reports of disappointment among some senior party legislators following the induction of four new ministers into Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s Council of Ministers.
Dar said discussions had taken place about giving other legislators an opportunity to serve in the cabinet after one-and-a-half years.
“It has also been decided that after one-and-a-half years, some more colleagues will be given an opportunity. There may be another change after 18 months,” Dar said.
He said legislators who had missed out on ministerial positions should remain patient, as the present arrangement was not necessarily permanent.
“I believe those colleagues who could not become ministers this time will, God willing, get an opportunity in the future,” he said.
Dar pointed to the limited size of the Council of Ministers under Jammu and Kashmir’s present Union Territory arrangement, saying the restriction made it impossible to accommodate every deserving legislator.
“We are presently a Union Territory, where only nine people can become ministers. Earlier there were five, and now four more have been inducted,” he said.
He expressed hope that Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood would eventually be restored, creating greater scope for political representation.
“I hope the day will come when statehood is restored. It may take a few months. Those colleagues who are disappointed today may then get an opportunity to work in the cabinet,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that legislators had legitimate aspirations for ministerial positions but maintained that the leadership had to make decisions within the existing limitations.
“Everyone has the right to aspire to become a minister. But the circumstances are such that only a limited number can be accommodated,” he said.
Dar defended the decisions taken by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, saying the selection of ministers had been carefully considered.
“I believe the decisions taken by the Chief Minister and Dr Farooq Abdullah were made after considerable thought. Other colleagues should also understand this,” he said.
He appealed to party legislators to remain united and continue supporting the leadership despite disappointment over the allocation of ministerial berths.
“We should all stand with our party leadership. We have placed our trust in them, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
Dar also congratulated the four newly inducted ministers and expressed confidence that other legislators would receive opportunities to contribute to governance in the future. (KNS)