Srinagar, Oct 27: The suspense over the National Conference’s (NC) cabinet reshuffle ended on Tuesday as four legislators of National Congress (NC), Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shamima Firdous, Mir Saifullah and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo, took oath as ministers in the Omar Abdullah-led government at Lok Bhawan in Srinagar.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly inducted ministers at the swearing-in ceremony attended by senior political leaders and officials.
The induction will bring a fresh change to the council of ministers even as senior NC leader Mubarak Gul expressed disappointment over being left out of the reshuffle.
“I have attended 30 oath-taking ceremonies till now. Every time I was dropped, and today as well, I am being dropped,” Gul told reporters outside Lok Bhawan.
Meanwhile, Shamima Firdous expressed happiness over the opportunities given to her by the party and said she would continue to work harder.
Mir Saifullah, ahead of his induction, thanked the party leadership and Almighty Allah for the opportunity. “I am really thankful to the Dr Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference leadership and Almighty Allah for this opportunity,” he said.
Four legislators were expected to join the council of ministers, with Ali Mohammad Sagar and Altaf Ahmad Kaloo among the frontrunners. The induction also comes amid speculation over changes in the existing ministerial lineup.
Meanwhile, Shamima Firdous emerged as a surprise inclusion in the cabinet, having not figured prominently among the frontrunners ahead of the reshuffle. Her induction adds a notable turn to the ministerial rejig, as the party finalised its choices for the four vacancies in the Omar Abdullah-led government.
