Four new faces join Omar Abdullah’s cabinet in J&K

ByTech Word News

The new ministers were sworn in at the Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on October 27, 2026. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government on Tuesday (October 27, 2026) inducted four new faces into the Council of Ministers, including Srinagar old hand Ali Muhammad Sagar and female face Shameema Firdous, taking the total number of Cabinets in the Union Territory to nine.

Lieutenant-Governor J&K Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office to Mr. Sagar, Ms. Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Kaloo at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar. One minister, Satish Sharma, an independent candidate from Jammu province, was dropped from the current cabinet. The ruling National Conference (NC) Congress decided to stay away “until statehood is restored”.

Also Read: ‘Good change’: Farooq Abdullah on expansion of J&K Council of Ministers

#SEARCH | Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha swears in newly appointed ministers as CM Omar Abdullah expands his cabinet Mir Saifullah, MLA Trehgam Kupwara, Ali Mohammad Sagar, MLA Khanyar Srinagar, Shameem Firdous, MLA Pagarbada Alta Kadal in Sductrin as ministers

— ANI (@ANI) October 27, 2026

Mr. Sagar (68), who represents the Khanyar constituency, is an old NC member and has also served as a minister in the past. Mr Sagar and his son Salman Sagar managed to win two seats from Srinagar district in 2024 elections.

Ms Firdous, who represents Srinagar’s Habba Kadal constituency, is the second cabinet minister after Sakina Itoo from south Kashmir’s Kulgam. NC won seven out of eight seats from Srinagar district in 2024 assembly elections.

Mr. Kaloo’s induction gives additional representation to south Kashmir, while Mr. Saifullah adds to the representation of north Kashmir, the party’s stronghold.

According to Section 53 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, the Council of Ministers in the UT cannot exceed 10% of the 90-member assembly. For the last two years, CM Abdullah had only five ministers in his cabinet.

Published – 27 Oct 2026 12:03 IST