FSFN to head Health, Urban Development ministry at Oli’s cabinet
KATHMANDU, June 1: Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN) will head the two ministries—Ministry of Health and Population and Urban Development Ministry at the K P Oli led cabinet.
President Bidya Devi Bhandari, on recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, has appointed FSFN Chair Upendra Yadav as the Minister for Health and Population and Istiyak Rai as the Minister for Urban Development on Friday. The President appointed them to the posts as per the Article 76 (9) of the Nepal’s constitution. Prior to this, portfolios of both ministers were held by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
The duo will be administered the oath of office and secrecy at 5 pm in the evening at the Office of President at Sital Niwas.
FSFN had put forth the condition of constitution amendment as a prerequisite to join the government. It has also demanded amendment in article 274 of the constitution in a way that would allow redrawing of federal boundaries and formation of federal commission to resolve all disputes related to federal boundaries in future.
Earlier, PM Oli, who was desperate to bring the Madhes-based party on board the government, had given full assurance to revising the constitution based on ‘necessity’ and ‘justification’ but had denied to sing the written agreement—which had brought the government-FSFN talk to an abrupt halt.
Later, on May 27, FSFN Chair Yadav had held a meeting with the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and had decided to withdraw its amendment proposal on government’s policies and programs after receiving assurance from PM Oli.
A day later, FSFN and NCP chairs duo Oli and Dahal reached a two-point agreement paving way for the Yadav to join the government.
The agreement stated that the issues and demands raised by the Madhes based party, FSFN during the Madhes movement would be addressed in consensus by amending constitution.
The agreement also stated the FSFN would participate in the Prime Minister Oli’s government.