Srinagar, July 3 -- Facing mounting political pressure in Jammu and Kashmir, CM Omar Abdullah dropped strong hints that a long-awaited cabinet expansion and portfolio reshuffle will be executed just ahead of the ruling NC planned protest in New Delhi. The strategic restructuring is expected to fill three vacant ministerial berths and reallocate portfolios. The move comes as the party mobilises its full legislative strength to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in the national capital on the opening day of Parliament's monsoon session, demanding restoration of J&K's statehood. Omar Abdullah told a local news channel in an interview on Wednesday that after the meeting of legislators at Dachigam, cabinet expansion is inevitable. "It's my responsibility. Either the expansion will take place before the Jantar Mantar protest. but it will be done close or after it," he said. To maximise national impact, NC president Farooq Abdullah has stepped in to spearhead an outreach, writing to leadership of all constituent parties within INDIA bloc. He held a meeting to finalise arrangements, resolving to extend formal invitations not just to traditional alliance partners, but also to regional J&K parties and non-aligned, non-NDA national leaders. htc...