Update: 14:30 hrs
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has added two more ministers to his Cabinet, two from his own party and two from the Maoist centre.
The new ministers are Ram Bahadur Thapa (Home Affairs), Ishwar Pokhrel (Defence), Yubraj Khatiwada (Finance) and Matrika Yadav (Industries). According to sources close to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet is likely to get its full shape only on Tuesday.
Earlier report:
Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is expanding his three-member Cabinet and giving the full shape to the coalition government today.
Oli will induct leaders from his own party and the CPN-Maoist Centre as ministers. In addition, efforts are also underway to convince Upendra Yadav-led Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal to join the government.
If Yadav agrees to join the government, he will be given the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But, if efforts will fail, UML Secretary Pradeep Gyawali will be given the position.
It is almost certain that UML General Secretary Ishwar Pokharel will be made the Minister for Finance and Planning.
Other UML leaders who are likely to be made ministers today are Yogesh Bhattarai, Rabindra Adhikari, Prem Aale and Bhanubhakta Dhakal. The top leadership is discussing the names. Discussions are also underway to include Madheshi leader Hridayesh Tripathi, who defected from the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal to contest the elections with the UML’s symbol, into the Cabinet.
From the Maoists’ party, the party’s second-in-command Ram Bahadur Thapa will lead the group as the Home Minister. Likewise, Barsha Man Pun will be given another powerful ministry.
Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s daughter-in-law Bina Magar is also likely to be made a minister.
Matrika Yadav and Giriraj Mani Pokharel are other names being considered for the Cabinet berth.
