Srinagar, Aug. 14 -- As Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah again dropped hints about a cabinet expansion after August 15, there are still impediments within the ruling National Conference (NC) that are forcing him to delay it.

The NC government is nearing completion of two years of its tenure with the same set of council of ministers who took oath in October 2024. For the past 22 months, Abdullah, despite pressure from within the party, has kept delaying the expansion. The CM could induct three more people into the cabinet and could also reshuffle the portfolios of five ministers who are part of the council of ministers.

"Don't expect a cabinet expansion before August 15. The expansion will take place soon, at the appropriat...