JAMMU, Oct. 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's Cabinet reshuffle, accusing the National Conference-led government of ignoring Jammu's political aspirations and failing to ensure adequate regional and community representation in the expanded Council of Ministers.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, BJP chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi said the decision to retain only two representatives from the Jammu region in the nine-member Cabinet had caused resentment and raised questions about the government's commitment to equitable representation.
Sethi argued that Jammu should have received at least one additional ministerial position when the government filled the vacancies in the Council of Ministers.
According to him, the region deserved three or four representatives in the expanded Cabinet, particularly given the expectations surrounding the reshuffle.
He also questioned the religious composition of the Council of Ministers, pointing out that eight of its nine members belonged to the Muslim community and only one to the Hindu community.
The BJP leader maintained that the government should have considered broader community representation while making ministerial appointments.
Sethi specifically questioned the removal of Independent MLA Satish Sharma from the Cabinet. He argued that if the Chief Minister had decided to replace Sharma, another Hindu legislator could have been considered.
The BJP spokesperson also claimed that Jammu's plains had been left without ministerial representation, describing the omission as a setback for the region.
He accused the National Conference leadership of disregarding the expectations of people in Jammu who had hoped for a greater share in the government following the expansion.
Sethi further alleged that sections of the Hindu community believed they were being treated unfairly because of their electoral support for the BJP. The allegation was presented as the party's political assessment, rather than an established consequence of the Cabinet appointments.
The BJP also raised questions about the criteria used to retain and induct ministers.
Referring to Satish Sharma's removal, Sethi claimed that Sharma had faced comparatively fewer allegations of wrongdoing than some ministers who continued in office.
He alleged that corruption complaints had been raised concerning certain departments under the Omar Abdullah government and questioned why ministers associated with those departments had been retained.
The spokesperson did not present findings establishing wrongdoing by the ministers he criticised. His remarks amounted to political allegations against the government's selection process.
Beyond regional representation, Sethi claimed that the reshuffle had exposed dissatisfaction among senior National Conference leaders who were denied ministerial positions.
He said the BJP had anticipated differences within the ruling party because several experienced legislators had expected to be accommodated in the expanded Cabinet.
According to Sethi, some National Conference leaders who had worked for the party over several decades were now disappointed with the decisions taken by the Chief Minister.
He accused the party leadership of allowing internal rivalries and competing political ambitions to overshadow public service.
However, Sethi denied suggestions that the BJP was encouraging the dissatisfaction or holding discussions with disgruntled National Conference legislators.
"We are not in talks with anyone," he said, maintaining that the disagreements had arisen from decisions taken within the ruling party.
He also avoided predicting an immediate split in the National Conference, saying the BJP would watch how the situation developed.
The spokesperson nevertheless indicated that the party remained open to political leaders who wished to associate themselves with its nationalist platform.
Responding to questions about reports concerning National Conference MP Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and speculation that he could leave the party after November 3, Sethi said the matter remained uncertain and that developments would become clearer after the indicated date.
He also commented on reports that Satish Sharma had declined an offer to join the National Conference, suggesting that such a decision, if confirmed, would reflect Sharma's commitment to his political position.
The BJP's criticism follows the expansion of Omar Abdullah's Council of Ministers, which brought senior National Conference leaders Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani into the government.
The reshuffle filled the available ministerial positions but also generated dissatisfaction among some party leaders and supporters who had expected appointments.
The opposition has now sought to connect those internal disagreements with the broader question of regional representation in the Union Territory's government.
Jammu's share of ministerial positions has become a central issue in the BJP's criticism, alongside its allegations concerning the selection and retention of individual ministers.
The National Conference has previously sought to play down reports of internal resentment, with senior leaders describing differences over ministerial appointments as matters that could be addressed within the party.
The BJP's latest intervention adds to the political debate surrounding the expansion, although the allegations of discrimination, corruption and internal instability remain contested political claims.
With the Council of Ministers now at full strength, the controversy is likely to keep attention focused on how the government addresses the concerns of Jammu's representatives and manages expectations among legislators who were not included in the reshuffle.
