Set to expand cabinet, J&K CM Omar asks hopefuls not to ‘mob or spam’ him
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has publicly urged his party colleagues to stop lobbying for cabinet positions via WhatsApp messages and personal visits ahead of an upcoming ministerial expansion. The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who labeled the public admonishment as demeaning and a display of arrogance.
Why it matters
The incident highlights internal political tensions within the National Conference and underscores the challenges of managing coalition or party expectations during government formation in a sensitive region.
SRINAGAR: J&K CM Omar Abdullah, who met lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha Saturday and announced that the much-anticipated cabinet expansion will take place next week, has urged party colleagues to stop sending him lengthy WhatsApp messages and book-length profiles seeking ministerial berths.He also advised them against knocking on his doors or that of his father and National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, to lobby for ministerial positions.After meeting Sinha, Omar told reporters he sought an appointment with him for next week so that he can make changes and expand his council of ministers.“Now that I have told you about the reshuffle, I want to make a request to my colleagues. There is no need to knock on Farooq Abdullah’s door, my door or anyone else’s door,” Omar said. “The decision about who will become a minister has been taken. I request my colleagues to be patient.
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