Cabinet likely to expand today

KATHMANDU, Feb 22: Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and CPN (Maoist Center) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ held meeting on issues relating to cabinet expansion and party unification process.

The meeting took place at prime minister’s official residence at Baluwatar on Thursday.

Probably the Cabinet would be expanded today itself after both leaders agree on the number of ministries representing from both parties.

Prime Minister Oli was expected to give full shape to the cabinet on Wednesday but the plans were put on hold after the talks between UML and Maoist Center ended without conclusion on allocation of ministries.

The two leaders have agreed to form 18-member cabinet. But, since more than three dozen leaders are in the race to secure a place in the cabinet, the meeting failed to establish consensus in allocating portfolios.

Maoist Center leaders Ram Bahadur Thapa, Barshaman Pun, Lekhraj Bhatta, Pampha Bhusal, Chakrapani Khanal, Shakti Banset, Amik Sherchan, Girirajmani Pokhrel and Devendra Poudel are the possible faces for the ministerial positions.

Likewise, Ishwor Pokhrel, Bishnu Poudel, Surendra Pandey, Pradeep Gyawali, Yogesh Bhattarai, Rabindra Adhikari, Raghubir Mahaseth, Juli Kumari Mahato, Birodh Khatiwada and Shanta Chaudhary are the possible candidates from CPN-UML.

Meanwhile, senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is also demanding portfolios ensured for leaders close to him as his faction was totally ignored while appointing chief ministers and speakers, according to a Nepal close leaders.