J&K cabinet rejig likely on Monday

JAMMU: The much-awaited cabinet reshuffle in the PDP-BJP alliance is likely to take place here on Monday at 12 noon.

“Besides filling two cabinet berths that fell vacant following resignations by Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Parkash Ganga from forest and industries ministries respectively, the BJP is likely to induct some new faces,” said BJP sources privy to the development. It is being said that BJP may induct two to three new faces in the cabinet.

The reshuffling within the BJP was long overdue.

Sources said that among the forerunners are Jammu East MLA Rajesh Gupta, Kathua MLA Rajiv Jasrotia, Speaker Kavinder Gupta and MLC Ramesh Arora.

“Health minister Bali Bhagat is likely to be dropped. His removal looks imminent,” said sources.

Speaker Kavinder Gupta is likely to get a cabinet berth, they added.

It may also be recalled here that chief minister Mehbooba Mufti had removed Dr Haseeb Drabu from the post of finance minister following his controversial remarks on the nature of Kashmir dispute at a conclave in Delhi.

Mehbooba has given the additional charge of the finance ministry to education minister Syed Altaf Bukhari. after BJP’S rejig, PDP is also likely to announce a full-time finance minister.

The ruling alliance completed three years in office in March this year.