The latest reshuffle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s cabinet has triggered resentment in Jammu, with eight of the division’s 10 districts left without ministerial representation. The nine-member council now has seven ministers from Kashmir Valley and two from Jammu division, both from the Pir Panjal region.

The reshuffle has also reduced Hindu representation from two ministers to one. Satish Sharma, an Independent MLA from Chhamb, was dropped, leaving Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who represents Nowshera in Rajouri district, as the only Hindu minister.

This is the first time since 1953 that eight Jammu districts have no minister, according to the report. The unrepresented districts are Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Reasi. The entire Chenab Valley, comprising Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar, also has no representation.

Several leaders could have provided regional and religious balance. Pyare Lal Sharma, an NC-supported MLA from Inderwal in Kishtwar, could have represented the Chenab Valley. Independent MLA Rameshwar Singh from Bani could have given Kathua a minister. NC MLA Arjun Singh Raju from Ramban was another option, with his induction potentially providing representation to both the Chenab region and the Hindu community.

Jammu district, which has 11 Assembly constituencies, has also been left out, while Srinagar district has two ministers. A retired Jammu University professor said, “This is not about one MLA. This is about the sentiment of Dogras. If you have 11 MLAs from Jammu district, how can you ignore all of them?"

The report describes the decision as unprecedented in Jammu and Kashmir’s political history. Previous governments led by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad, Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Omar Abdullah had included ministers from Jammu district. Even Omar Abdullah’s first cabinet in October 2024 included Satish Sharma.

The reshuffle has given the BJP a political opening. Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma said it showed that the National Conference was Kashmir-centric and did not believe in Jammu. Some NC leaders from the Pir Panjal region are also reportedly unhappy, while senior Kashmir leaders Mubarak Gul, Nazir Gurezi and Abdul Majeed Larmi have expressed disappointment over being denied ministerial positions.

Political observers warn that the government could face deeper resentment in Jammu if it fails to address the imbalance through appointments to boards, corporations and advisory positions or future cabinet inductions. The discontent could affect upcoming district development council, panchayat and urban local body elections.